Pooja Singh Shatters U20 National High Jump Record, Advances to World U20 Championships Final

New Delhi: India’s Pooja Singh has achieved a remarkable feat at the World Athletics U20 Championships 2024 in Lima, setting a new national record in the women’s high jump for the U20 category. The 17-year-old athlete from Fatehbad district, Haryana, cleared a height of 1.83 meters, surpassing her previous U20 national record of 1.82 meters, which she had set last year during the Asian U20 Championships in Korea.

Pooja’s outstanding performance earned her a second-place finish in the qualification round group B and a ninth-place overall, securing her a spot in the final scheduled for August 31. This accomplishment highlights her exceptional talent and perseverance, as she continues to make significant strides in her athletic career.

Coming from a modest background as the daughter of a mason, Pooja’s journey has been marked by determination and resilience. She began her training at Parta Sports Academy under coach Balwan Singh, despite the lack of proper equipment, including a landing mat. Her dedication was evident early on when she won gold in the U-14 girls’ category with a jump of 1.41 meters. However, her progress was interrupted by a quadricep injury that kept her out of competition for 15 months.

Undeterred by her setback, Pooja made a triumphant return to the sport, clinching gold in the U-16 girls’ category at the 2022 Junior Nationals with a new national record jump of 1.76 meters. She followed this success with another gold in the U-18 category at the 2022 Youth National Championships.

Pooja Singh’s latest achievement at the World U20 Championships not only sets a new national record but also positions her as a strong contender in the final. Her journey is an inspiring example of overcoming adversity and pursuing excellence in athletics.