Shahnavaz Khan and Pooja Named Best Emerging Athletes at AFI Awards 2026 After Breakthrough Seasons
The future of Indian athletics was celebrated at the inaugural Athletics Federation of India (AFI) Awards as Shahnavaz Khan and Pooja were named the Best Emerging Male Athlete of the Year 2025 and Best Emerging Female Athlete of the Year 2025, respectively.
The recognition comes after both teenagers enjoyed exceptional seasons that established them among the brightest young talents in Indian athletics. From record-breaking performances to continental gold medals and qualification for major global competitions, Shahnavaz and Pooja have rapidly emerged as athletes capable of carrying India’s hopes on the international stage.
Their awards also reflect the growing depth in Indian athletics, where a new generation of competitors is consistently producing performances of global significance.
At just 19 years of age, long jumper Shahnavaz Khan has enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough season that has transformed him into one of India’s most exciting prospects. The highlight of his campaign came at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships, where he clinched the gold medal with an outstanding display of consistency and composure. However, his achievements extend well beyond a single competition.
During the season, Shahnavaz registered a lifetime best jump of 8.23 metres, a performance that currently ranks as the second-best mark in the world in the U20 category this year. The leap not only showcased his immense talent but also placed him among the elite junior long jumpers globally.
Equally significant is the fact that he has comfortably surpassed the qualification standard for the World U20 Athletics Championships 2026, giving him an opportunity to compete against the best young athletes in the world. Receiving the AFI’s Best Emerging Male Athlete award is recognition of a season in which Shahnavaz consistently demonstrated that he can perform on major stages while continuing to improve technically and physically.
If Shahnavaz impressed in the horizontal jumps, Pooja produced one of the finest seasons ever by an Indian high jumper. Already the holder of the U20 national record, the 19-year-old elevated her performances to another level by clearing 1.93 metres, setting a new Senior National Record and becoming the highest-jumping Indian woman in history.
The achievement marked the culmination of two years of rapid progression during which she repeatedly improved the U20 national record before ultimately rewriting the senior benchmark as well. Her consistency at major championships has been equally impressive. Pooja captured gold medals at the Asian Athletics Championships 2025, the Asian Indoor Championships 2026, and the Asian U20 Athletics Championships 2026, establishing herself as one of Asia’s premier young high jumpers.
The AFI’s recognition as Best Emerging Female Athlete acknowledges not only her record-breaking performances but also her remarkable consistency across elite competitions.
Both athletes have already achieved qualification standards for the World U20 Athletics Championships, highlighting their readiness to compete against the best junior athletes globally. For Pooja, the journey extends even further. Her outstanding performances have earned her selection in India’s squad for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, providing an opportunity to test herself against senior international opposition.
Such rapid progression at a young age reflects the confidence selectors have in her ability to compete at the highest level and signals the beginning of what could be a long and successful international career.
The emergence of Shahnavaz Khan and Pooja comes at an exciting time for Indian athletics, with established stars such as Neeraj Chopra and Parul Chaudhary continuing to achieve success while younger athletes begin to make their mark. Their performances demonstrate that India’s talent pipeline remains strong across multiple disciplines. Shahnavaz’s power and technical refinement in the long jump, coupled with Pooja’s remarkable consistency in the high jump, provide optimism that the country can remain competitive in field events for years to come.
Importantly, both athletes have shown an ability to deliver under pressure at major competitions rather than merely posting impressive results in domestic meets.
Awards such as the AFI Emerging Athlete honours serve an important purpose beyond celebrating immediate success. They recognise potential, encourage sustained excellence and inspire younger athletes beginning their own journeys in the sport.
For Shahnavaz and Pooja, the awards validate years of hard work while also raising expectations for future performances. With global championships and multi-sport events on the horizon, both athletes now carry the responsibility of converting their promise into continued international success.
Their stories also demonstrate the effectiveness of India’s expanding athletics development system, which is increasingly producing athletes capable of competing at continental and world levels from a young age.
The inaugural AFI Awards have rightly shone a spotlight on two athletes whose performances have captured the imagination of Indian athletics fans. Shahnavaz Khan’s world-class 8.23m leap and Asian U20 gold medal underline his credentials as one of the finest junior long jumpers in the world, while Pooja’s record-breaking 1.93m clearance and multiple continental titles have established her as the country’s new standard-bearer in women’s high jump.
As they prepare for the World U20 Championships and other major competitions, both athletes have an opportunity to build on their breakthrough seasons and continue India’s rise in global athletics. Their recognition as the Best Emerging Athletes of 2025 is not merely a reward for past achievements it is an acknowledgment of the immense potential they possess to shape the future of Indian sport.
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