Ranzi Sports

Sarvesh Anil Kushare made history on Sunday by becoming the first Indian high jumper to qualify for the final at the World Athletics Championships. The 30-year-old athlete cleared a height of 2.25 meters in the qualification round held at the National Stadium in Tokyo, securing his spot among the top 13 competitors advancing to the final scheduled for Tuesday.

Despite the automatic qualifying mark being set at 2.30 meters, no athlete attempted that height, and Kushare’s steady performance placed him joint seventh in Group B and ninth overall across both groups. This leap was just shy of his personal best of 2.27 meters, achieved in 2022, and slightly below his season’s best of 2.26 meters. Kushare has shown consistent form this season, rarely dipping below 2.19 meters in competition.

Hailing from a small village near Nashik, Maharashtra, Kushare’s journey is inspiring. Son of an onion farmer, he began training on makeshift mats and has steadily risen through the ranks to become the first Indian high jumper to qualify for the Olympics at the 2024 Paris Games. While he did not progress beyond qualifications in Paris, this World Championships appearance marks a new milestone in his career.

Kushare will face a competitive final including Olympic champion Hamish Kerr and Diamond League winner Sanghyeok Woo. Notably, reigning world champion Gianmarco Tamberi did not advance to the final, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the event.

Kushare expressed confidence and excitement after his qualification, saying, “I had faith in myself that I would make it to the final. I think my performance will make people back home believe that we can do well in events like high jump.” With a day to prepare, he aims to record an impressive mark in the upcoming final.

Alongside Kushare’s success, India’s Gulveer Singh finished 16th in the men’s 10,000m with a time of 29:13.33. While below his personal best, Singh will shift focus to the 5000m event later this month.

Kushare’s breakthrough represents significant progress for Indian athletics on the global stage, inspiring future generations in field events traditionally dominated by other nations.