The Asian U20 Athletics Championships is a prestigious event that showcases the best young talent in athletics from across Asia. This year, the Indian contingent is aiming for an improved performance, with a strong team of 60 athletes ready to compete.
Promising thrower Siddharth Choudhary and middle-distance runner Laxita Sandilea are among the athletes who will be defending their titles in the shot put and 1500m respectively. Their performances in the previous championships have set high expectations for this year’s event.
60-member Indian team for the Asian U20 Athletics Championships
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has carefully selected a team of 60 athletes, including 31 males, to compete at the Asian U20 meet. This event also serves as a qualifying event for the World U20 Athletics Championship in Lima, Peru, which will take place from August 27 to 31.
Baton exchange practice. #Asian U20 Athletics Championship starts Wednesday in Dubai. pic.twitter.com/kObRbakGbZ
— Athletics Federation of India (@afiindia) April 23, 2024
In the 2023 edition of the Asian U20 meet in Yecheon, Korea, the Indian contingent claimed 19 medals, six of them gold. The team also won seven silver and six bronze medals, finishing third behind Japan and China. This year, the team is aiming to improve on this performance and achieve a higher medal tally.
N Ramesh, the chief junior athletics coach, expressed confidence in the team’s potential for success at the tournament. He highlighted the men’s 4x100m relay team and the 4x400m squad, who won bronze and silver respectively in the previous year. This year, he believes that both teams have a good chance of winning gold medals.
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