India Names 36-Member Squad for World Athletics U20 Championships 2026 in Eugene
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has announced a 36-member Indian contingent for the World Athletics U20 Championships 2026, scheduled to be held at the iconic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon (USA), from August 5 to 9.
The squad features 23 men and 13 women, who will compete across 18 track and field events, carrying India's hopes at one of the most prestigious junior athletics competitions in the world. The championships have long served as a launching pad for future Olympic and World Championship stars, and India will be hoping that its latest generation of talent can continue the country's growing success on the global junior stage.
With a blend of Asian U20 medallists, national champions and promising youngsters, the team heads to Eugene aiming to build on India's impressive performances at recent continental competitions.
Indian junior athletics has witnessed significant progress over the last decade. From producing world champions to consistently qualifying large contingents for global events, the country's development system has steadily strengthened. The 2026 squad is another reflection of that progress, with athletes earning selection based on their performances during the domestic season and qualification standards achieved at various competitions.
Several members of the squad impressed during the Indian Athletics Series and the Asian U20 Athletics Championships, where India enjoyed one of its strongest-ever campaigns. Those performances have raised expectations ahead of the World Championships, where the competition level will be considerably higher. For many athletes, Eugene represents an opportunity not only to challenge for medals but also to gain invaluable experience against the world's finest junior athletes before transitioning to the senior circuit.
India will compete in an impressive range of disciplines. The squad includes athletes in sprints, middle-distance events, hurdles, jumps, throws, race walk and relay competitions, underlining the growing depth within Indian athletics. The men's squad features competitors in the 100m, 400m, 800m, 5000m race walk, high jump, long jump, triple jump, discus throw, javelin throw, along with both the 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams.
On the women's side, India will field athletes in the 400m hurdles, high jump, shot put, discus throw, javelin throw, while also contesting the 4x100m relay and mixed 4x400m relay. The broad representation reflects India's expanding talent pool across multiple disciplines rather than relying on success in only a handful of events.
Several athletes have already established themselves as exciting prospects. Middle-distance runners Venkatram Reddy Mogali and Uwin Anand Anthan Bindhumol have shown excellent consistency in the 800m this season.
In the jumps, Basant and Ambrish Karthikeyan will compete in the high jump, while Shahnivaz Khan and Jithin Arjunan Raman will represent India in the long jump. Royshan Chandrasekar and Dhanush Raj Manappatty will contest the triple jump.
The throws also offer encouraging prospects, with Nischay lining up in the discus throw and Ashish Yadav and Dharanidharan Thiyagarajan representing India in the javelin. Women's high jumper Pooja, who has been among India's standout junior athletes, will be one of the key names in Eugene, while Anshu (shot put), Amanat Kamboj (discus throw) and Poonam (javelin throw) will lead India's challenge in the throwing events.
The relay squads, traditionally one of India's strengths at the junior level, will also be closely watched.
The championships will be staged at Hayward Field, one of athletics' most famous venues. Known as the "Cathedral of Track and Field," the stadium has hosted multiple World Championships, Olympic Trials and Diamond League competitions. Competing at such an iconic venue will be a memorable experience for many Indian athletes making their World Championship debut.
Facing the world's best junior athletes will provide valuable exposure as India continues building towards future Olympic and World Championship success.
India has steadily improved its record at the World Athletics U20 Championships. The country has won nine medals in the history of the competition, including three gold, four silver and two bronze medals. Among the most memorable achievements was Neeraj Chopra's historic gold medal in the men's javelin at the 2016 World U20 Championships, where he also set a junior world record of 86.48m.
In 2018, Hima Das became the first Indian track athlete to win a world junior title after capturing gold in the women's 400m. India also enjoyed strong campaigns in 2021, winning three medals, and 2022, where Selva Prabhu Thirumaran claimed silver in the triple jump while Rupal Chaudhary became the first Indian athlete to win two medals at a single edition.
Although India narrowly missed the podium at the 2024 championships in Lima, several finalists emerged from that campaign, offering optimism for the future.
While medals remain the ultimate objective, the World Athletics U20 Championships are equally important in identifying future senior stars. Many of India's current international athletes first announced themselves at junior global competitions before progressing to Asian, Commonwealth and Olympic success. The 36 athletes travelling to Eugene now have the opportunity to follow that same path.
With a balanced squad, representation across 18 events and a generation of athletes that has already impressed at the continental level, India will hope to once again leave its mark on the global junior athletics stage.
India Squad – World Athletics U20 Championships 2026
Men (23)
Mohammed Ashfaq – 400m / Mixed 4x400m Relay, Piyush Raj – 400m / Mixed 4x400m Relay, Venkatram Reddy Mogali – 800m, Uwin Anand Anthan Bindhumol – 800m, Amit Kumar – 400m Hurdles, Basant – High Jump, Ambrish Karthikeyan – High Jump, Shahnivaz Khan – Long Jump, Jithin Arjunan Raman – Long Jump, Royshan Chandrasekar – Triple Jump, Dhanush Raj Manappatty – Triple Jump, Nischay – Discus Throw, Ashish Yadav – Javelin Throw, Dharanidharan Thiyagarajan – Javelin Throw, Nitin Gupta – 5000m Race Walk, Anshu Rajak – Men's 4x100m Relay, Aditya Tatya Pisal – Men's 4x100m Relay, Nived Krishna Jyothiprakash – Men's 4x100m Relay, Neel Samraj – Men's 4x100m Relay, Rudra Sachin Shinde – Men's 4x100m Relay, Ranjith Kumar Senthil Kumar – Men's 4x400m Relay, Sabeer Sayed – Men's 4x400m Relay, Nakul Prabhu – Men's 4x400m Relay
Women (13)
Tanu Chaudhary – 400m Hurdles, Pooja – High Jump, Anshu – Shot Put, Amanat Kamboj – Discus Throw, Poonam – Javelin Throw, Aarti – 4x100m Relay, Bhavana Ganesh Kumar – 4x100m Relay, Kajal Hirabhai Vaja – 4x100m Relay, Rujula Amol Bhonsle – 4x100m Relay, Ananya Suresh – 4x100m Relay, Tahura Khatun – Mixed 4x400m Relay, Bhumika Sanjay Nehate – Mixed 4x400m Relay, Nagesh Pillappa – Mixed 4x400m Relay
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