Sunil Kumar bags India’s first ever gold in decathlon at Asian U-20 Championship

Sunil Kumar secured the gold medal in the men’s decathlon event at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships held in Yecheon, South Korea, with score of 7003 points.

Sunil had a major disadvantage coming in to the Asian championships. He arrived in Busan without the fibre glass pole he needed to compete in the pole vault. The South Korean airline and Air India refused to allow him to carry his pole vault due to ‘technical issues’ arising from its length of five meters.

Despite competing with a borrowed pole vault provided by the organisers, Sunil Kumar achieved a remarkable personal best performance, ultimately winning the gold medal.

Sunil put on a show by winning 100m in hurdles, discus throw, and javelin throw.

“It looked a bit difficult initially. But I gave it a try and pushed hard on day-two of the competition. I am extremely happy with the result,” Sunil said after winning gold.

A silver medal was won by Bushra Khan Gauri in the 3000m race, followed by Pooja winning in the women’s High Jump event.

In another event, India’s women team clinched the bronze medal at the 4x400m relay.

Earlier on Monday, Siddharth Choudhary bagged gold medal in the men’s Shot Put with a throw of 19.52m while Shivam Lohakare won silver in Javelin throw with a throw of 72.34m.

India’s tally of medals stood at 14 at the end of Day 3 of the Asian U-20 Athletics Championships 2023.