Ashish Yadav Wins Silver in Javelin, Opens India's Medal Account at U20 Worlds

India opened its medal account at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene in style, with Ashish Yadav securing a silver medal in the men's javelin throw on Saturday.

The 19-year-old produced his best effort of 74.09 metres in his third attempt, a throw that was enough to put him on the podium and give India its first medal of the championships.

Yadav's performance also placed him in an exclusive group of Indian javelin throwers. He became only the second Indian after Neeraj Chopra to win a silver medal in the men's javelin at the World Athletics U20 Championships.

Chopra had made history at the 2016 edition in Bydgoszcz, Poland, where he won gold with a spectacular 86.48m throw. That effort remains the world U20 record.

Yadav had company in the final, with fellow Indian T Dharanidharan also competing for a podium finish. Dharanidharan recorded a best throw of 72.35m to finish sixth.

The gold medal went to South Africa's Jan-Hendrik Heymans, who produced the biggest throw of the competition when it mattered most. Heymans sent his javelin 80.50m on his sixth and final attempt, establishing a new U20 world-leading mark for the season.

Although Yadav could not match the South African's final-round surge, his 74.09m effort proved enough to secure a valuable silver and provide India with an early boost at the global junior championships.

For Indian athletics, the result also adds another promising name to the country's growing javelin tradition, with Yadav now following the path established by Chopra on the international junior stage.

At 19, Yadav's podium finish could mark an important step in what promises to be a closely watched career in Indian athletics.