Following U-18 Asian Triumph, Himanshu Jakhar Sets Sights on Khelo India Youth Games in Bihar
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Synopsis
Himanshu Jakhar, the first Indian to win gold in javelin at the U-18 Asian Championships, aims to shine at the Khelo India Youth Games in Bihar from May 4 to 15. His hard work and inspiration from Neeraj Chopra drive his passion for athletics.
Key Takeaways
- Himanshu Jakhar made history at the U-18 Asian Championships.
- He aims to excel at the Khelo India Youth Games in Bihar.
- His personal best is 74.56m in javelin throw.
- Inspiration from Neeraj Chopra fuels his athletic journey.
- The Khelo India initiative supports young athletes.
New Delhi, April 19 (NationPress) Himanshu Jakhar, who made history by becoming the first Indian to secure gold in men’s javelin throw at the U-18 Asian Athletics Championships in Dammam, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, is set to be a key highlight at the forthcoming Khelo India Youth Games in Bihar, taking place from May 4 to 15.
Originating from Salahawas village in Jhajjar district of Haryana, Himanshu achieved the gold with an impressive throw of 67.57 metres, well ahead of China’s Lu Hao (63.45m) and Uzbekistan’s Ruslan Sadullaev (61.96m). His parents, Dalbir and Reena, are farmers.
The 17-year-old Himanshu began his javelin journey just five years ago, initially training in his home village before progressing to the SAI Centre in Hisar. In a conversation with SAI Media from Saudi Arabia, Himanshu expressed that his next goal is to excel at the Khelo India Youth Games in Bihar.
“Winning gold for my country here has been an incredible experience. However, it required immense effort along with the guidance of my coaches to achieve this milestone. I have been training at the SAI Centre in Hisar under coach Arvind for the past 2-3 years. With improved coaching, better equipment, and enhanced facilities, I have been able to bring pride to my nation. My focus now is to capture the attention of talent scouts at the Khelo India Youth Games and subsequently at the Junior Nationals,” Himanshu stated.
“The Khelo India initiative by the Government of India is remarkable, providing a vital platform for youth like me to gradually contribute to our country,” he added.
Previously, Himanshu's personal best of 74.56m in the 700gm javelin throw was recorded at the National Junior Athletics Championships in December 2024. He regards Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra as his source of inspiration.
“Neeraj Chopra inspires not only me but the entire nation. His achievements for India are extraordinary. I admire his work ethic, dedication, and humility despite his fame. I constantly observe how he conducts himself during competitions, interacts with his competitors, and maintains composure under pressure,” he remarked.
