World Athletics U20 Championships 2024 All You Need to Know: History, Schedule, India squad, Top Athletes, Where to Watch

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The World Athletics U20 Championships 2024, set to take place in Lima, Peru, promises to be a spectacle of emerging athletic talent. This biennial event, where the world’s best junior athletes showcase their skills, will see participants from across the globe compete in a series of track and field events.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to the event, covering its history, Indian participation, key athletes to watch, and more as the event begins on August 27-31.

Overall History of the World Athletics U20 Championships

The World Athletics U20 Championships, formerly known as the IAAF World Junior Championships, began in 1986 as a platform for athletes under the age of 20 to compete at an international level. Over the years, it has grown in prominence, becoming a vital stepping stone for young athletes aspiring to make a mark on the global stage. Many of today’s athletics stars first gained international attention at this event. The championship was rebranded in 2015 to its current name to align with the sport’s governing body’s updated identity.

Notable athletes such as Anneisha McLaughlin-Whilby and Chris Nelloms have left indelible marks on the championships, with multiple medals in sprint events. The competition continues to be a breeding ground for future Olympic and World Championship medalists.

Indian History at World Athletics U20 Championships

India has had a notable presence at the World Athletics U20 Championships, with the event serving as a launchpad for several of its top athletes. The likes of Neeraj Chopra, who set a U20 world record in the javelin throw at the 2016 edition, and Hima Das, who became the first Indian to win a gold medal in the 400m at the 2018 edition, began their international careers here.

India has won a total of nine medals at the U20 Championships, including two golds. The 2022 edition in Cali, Colombia, was particularly successful for India, with three medals—two silvers and one bronze. The Indian contingent for Lima 2024, consisting of 43 athletes, is expected to carry forward this legacy and potentially add more medals to the country’s tally.

World Athletics U20 Championships 2024 Venue: Lima, Peru

For the first time, Peru will host a World Athletics Series event, with the U20 Championships being held at Lima’s Estadio Atlético de la Villa Deportiva Nacional. The stadium, which has a seating capacity of 6,800, previously hosted athletics events during the 2019 Pan American Games. The venue is known for its vibrant atmosphere, and temporary seating was added during the Pan American Games to accommodate up to 12,000 spectators.

The championships will run from August 27 to August 31, 2024, with athletes from 134 teams competing across 45 medal events. A total of 1,720 athletes, including 909 men and 793 women, will participate, along with 18 athletes competing in mixed events.

World Athletics U20 Championships Mascot: Ukuku

Ukuku, the spectacled bear, has been introduced as the official mascot of the World Athletics U20 Championships 2024 in Lima, Peru. Known in Quechua as a symbol of biodiversity and the rich Andean culture, Ukuku embodies the qualities of strength, resilience, and determination - fundamental values in athletics. This mascot not only represents the native wildlife of the region but also highlights Peru's commitment to preserving its natural and cultural heritage.

Event Schedule

The 2024 edition of the championships will feature a packed five-day schedule, with events spanning various track and field disciplines. Some key finals to watch include:

• Tuesday, 27 August: Women’s 5000m, Men’s Shot Put, Mixed 4x400m Relay
• Wednesday, 28 August: Women’s Long Jump, Men’s 100m, Women’s 100m
• Thursday, 29 August: Men’s Triple Jump, Women’s 3000m Steeplechase, Men’s 400m
• Friday, 30 August: Men’s 10,000m Race Walk, Women’s 100m Hurdles, Men’s 200m
• Saturday, 31 August: Women’s 1500m, Men’s 3000m Steeplechase, Men’s 4x400m Relay

Top Athletes to Watch Out For

The World Athletics U20 Championships 2024 will feature several athletes who have already made their mark at the senior level. Among them:

• Puripol Boonson (Thailand): The men’s 100m and 200m sprinter who shares the world U18 best performance over 100m (10.06 seconds) and is expected to be a standout in Lima.
• Torrie Lewis (Australia): A sprinter who gained international attention by defeating Sha’Carri Richardson in the Xiamen Diamond League 200m in April 2024.
• Bradley Nkoana (South Africa): An Olympic silver medalist in the men’s 4x100m relay from Paris 2024, Nkoana will be making his debut at the World U20 Championships.
• Karmen Bruus (Estonia): The defending women’s high jump champion from the 2022 edition, returning to defend her title.
• Medina Eisa (Ethiopia): The women’s 5000m defending champion who also finished seventh in the Olympic Games final in Paris.

Indian Squad for Lima 2024

India’s 43-athlete strong squad is set to make a significant impact at the U20 World Athletics Championships in Lima. With a mix of seasoned campaigners and rising stars, the team is expected to perform well across multiple disciplines.

Men: Bapi Hansda (400m, relay), Jay Kumar (400m, relay), Sahil Khan (800m), Hariharan Kathiravan (110m hurdles), Nayan Pradip Sarde (110m hurdles), Murad Kallubhai Simran (400m hurdles), Karthika Raja Arumugam (400m hurdles), Sharuk Khan (3,000m steeplechase), Ranvir Ajay Singh (3,000m steeplechase), Himanshu (10,000m race walk), Sachin (10,000m race walk), Mohd Atta Sazid (long jump), Dev Kumar Meena (pole vault), Siddharth Choudhary (shot put), Anurag Singh Kaler (shot put), Ritik (discus throw), Prateek (hammer throw), Dipanshu Sharma (javelin throw), Rohan Yadav (javelin), M Jayaram Dondapati (100m), Ankul (4x400m relay), Rihan Chaudhary (4x400m, mixed relay), Abhiram Pramod (4x400m relay).

Women: Unnathi Aiyappa Bolland (200m,100m hurdles), Neeru Pathak (200m, 400m, 4x400m relay), Anushka Dattatray Kumbhar (400m, 4x400m relay), Laxita Vinod Sandilea (800m/1500m), Ekta Dey (3,000m steeplechase), Shreeya Rajesh (400m hurdles), Aarti (10,000m race walk), Nikita Kumari, Amanat Kamboj (discus throw), Tamanna (shot put), Pooja (high jump), Pavana Nagaraj (long jump), Abinaya Rajarajan (100m, 4x100m relay), Sudheeksha Vadluri (4x100m relay), Neole Anna Cornelio (4x100m relay), Rujula Amol Bhonsle (4x100m relay), Siya Abhijit Sawant (4x100m relay), Sandramol Sabu (4x400m, mixed relay), Kanista Teena Maria Deva Shekhar (4x400m relay), Shravani Sachin Sangle (4x400m, mixed relay

Where to Watch the World Athletics U20 Championships 2024

Fans worldwide can follow the World Athletics U20 Championships 2024 through various channels. World Athletics’ social media platforms will provide updates, highlights, and live coverage of the events. Additionally, the championships will be broadcast by World Athletics’ media partners, including Tokyo Broadcasting System in Japan. Depending on regional availability, some sessions will also be streamed live on the World Athletics YouTube channel, ensuring that fans don’t miss any of the action from Lima.

This comprehensive guide should help you stay informed and excited about the upcoming World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima. With a rich history and a promising lineup of athletes, the event is sure to deliver thrilling performances and perhaps even the emergence of the next big star in athletics.