New Delhi: Teenage High Jumper Pooja Singh In a sensational performance on Friday at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong with a stunning leap of 1.93m to clinch the gold medal and script several pieces of history in the process.The 19-year-old became the first Indian to win gold in the women’s high jump event at the championships, capping off a memorable day with a record-breaking effort.Pooja’s remarkable 1.93m clearance not only topped the podium but also broke Sahana Kumari’s 14-year-old senior national record of 1.92m. In doing so, the young athlete established himself as one of India’s brightest emerging track and field talents.It turned into a dream for Pooja, who first cleared 1.91m to beat the national U20 record and took the gold before going even higher to rewrite the senior national mark.Look:His effort of 1.93m also helped him breach the qualification standard for the Commonwealth Games 2026, which is set at 1.92m. However, it is not yet clear whether the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) will give it a waiver, as the Federation Cup was already over as the final CWG qualifying event.Pooja’s historic achievement comes as a major boost for Indian athletics, particularly in the high jump discipline, where India has long been waiting for a breakthrough performance on the continental stage.The youngster showed remarkable composure throughout the contest and saved his best for the biggest moment, delivering a performance that could have launched a promising international career.With a senior national record now to her name and a continental U20 gold medal around her neck, Pooja has firmly stepped into the spotlight as India’s next athletics sensation.
