In a display of remarkable talent and relentless dedication, 25 young Indian athletes recently made their mark at the Asian U18 Athletics Championships 2023 held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Their stellar performances resulted in a total haul of 24 medals—six gold, 11 silver, and seven bronze—firmly establishing India’s place among the continent’s emerging athletics powerhouses.
Now, as the nation turns its gaze to new opportunities, these experiences resonate as our athletes embark on the next leg of their journey at the U18 championships in Saudi Arabia, starting today in 2025.
A Historic Campaign in Tashkent
The journey in Tashkent was one of both personal milestones and team success. Highlighting the campaign was sprinter Rezoana Mallick Heena, whose breathtaking performances epitomized the spirit of the Indian contingent.
Rezoana’s gold in the girls’ 400m came with an electrifying time of 52.98 seconds that not only secured her victory but also shattered the longstanding Under-18 national record held by Jisna Mathew since 2015. In doing so, she also eclipsed the eight-year-old meet record set by Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Nasser, a record that once symbolized global excellence in sprinting.
Adding to her accolades, Rezoana claimed a silver in the girls’ 200m and, as part of the Indian girls team relay, another gold medal—illustrating her versatility and the depth of talent in the squad.
These achievements have undoubtedly set the stage for a promising future in Indian sprinting, igniting the hopes of a nation eager to see more record-breakers.
In the hurdles, runner Bapi Hansda also etched his name in the history books. By winning a silver medal in the men’s 400m hurdles with a personal best of 51.38 seconds, he surpassed the previous meet record of 51.96 seconds and became the first Indian athlete to win a silver in this event at the championships.
His performance is a testament to the focused training and resilience that continues to define Indian athletics.
Team Triumphs and Individual Glory
The championships in Tashkent kicked off with great promise on day one, as the team clinched four medals right from the start. In the men’s 1500m, Priyanshu captured the gold with a remarkable time of 3:57.37, while Rahul Sarnaliya’s silver finish at 3:59.43 underscored India’s rising competitiveness in middle-distance events.
Field events and race-walks showcased the multifaceted nature of the young athletes’ abilities. Aarti’s steadfast determination led her to win a bronze in the girls’ 5000m race walk with a time of 24:29:14, highlighting the blend of endurance and technique required in this taxing discipline.
Mubassina Mohammed from Lakshadweep further added to the medal tally by achieving a bronze in the girls’ long jump with an impressive 5.90-meter leap.
The boys’ track events were equally compelling. In the 3000m, Aman Kumar clinched the gold medal with a time of 8:39.15, closely tailed by Yogeshwar R who took the silver, finishing just 0.70 seconds later.
On the women’s side, Vanshika’s gold in the girls’ 3000m—with a time of 10:15.16—demonstrated her incredible endurance and strategic racing, while Anju Bala’s silver finish at 10:22.86 echoed the theme of emerging talent.
Field events also shone with Narpat Singh’s bronze in the boys’ hammer throw, clocking an impressive distance of 67.27 meters. Each performance in Tashkent not only contributed to the overall medal tally but also underscored the diversified prowess of the Indian youth contingent.
A New Challenge in Saudi Arabia 2025
As the echoes of success in Tashkent continue to inspire, India’s young athletes are not resting on their laurels. Today marks the beginning of a new chapter, as another contingent of Indian U18 athletes set off to compete in the U18 championships in Saudi Arabia in 2025. The attached images capture the spirited faces and determined poses of these athletes, their eyes reflecting both confidence and the excitement of new challenges ahead.
The current event in Saudi Arabia promises to build on the legacy of past triumphs. Coaches and support staff are focused on leveraging the lessons learned in Tashkent, ensuring that every athlete is primed to achieve new heights in their respective disciplines. With fresh ambitions and unwavering commitment, the 2025 championships are poised to be yet another landmark in Indian athletics.
A Future Filled with Promise
India’s achievements at the Asian U18 Athletics Championships 2023 have set a robust foundation, demonstrating that with consistent effort and strategic training, Indian athletes can compete at the highest levels.
The transition from Tashkent to Saudi Arabia signals not merely a change in venue, but a continuous evolution in the spirit of youth athletics—a journey defined by both past glories and future opportunities.
As these young athletes take center stage on yet another international platform, the eyes of a nation and the hopes of a sporting community are fixed on them.
Their passion, nurtured by past successes and driven by the dream of global excellence, is a beacon for the future of Indian athletics. With every stride on the track and every leap in the field, they continue to inspire a generation and pave the way for many more milestones to come.
