Gujarat teen Rahul Jakhar wins gold, shatters national record at Asian U-20 championships

Eighteen-year-old athlete Rahul Jakhar from Charwada village in Gujarat’s Valsad district created history by winning the gold medal in the decathlon at the 22nd Asian U-20 Athletics Championship in Hong Kong. 

Jakhar clinched the top spot with a total of 7,185 points, setting a new Under-20 national record for India. The decathlon, a gruelling ten-event discipline, tested the young athlete’s prowess across sprinting, jumping, throwing, and endurance events.

Jakhar’s remarkable performance not only secured India’s gold but also marked a significant milestone for Gujarati and Indian junior athletics.

Speaking after his victory, an elated Rahul Jakhar said, now my dream is to represent India in the Commonwealth Games and Olympics and for that I will continue to work hard.

Deputy Chief Minister and Sports Minister Harsh Sanghvi congratulated the young champion, crediting his success to dedicated hard work and the state government’s sustained investment in sports infrastructure and training facilities.