Australia emerged as the leading country at the end of the second day of the World Under 20 championships in Lima. They secured two gold medals, one from the Women’s Long Jump final and the other from the 4x400m mixed relay on day 1, along with a bronze medal from the women’s Discus Throw.
Countries like East Germany, the Soviet Union, China, the USA, and Kenya have historically dominated the medal table since the inception of the World U20 Championships in 1986. It will be intriguing to see if any other nation can break into this elite group. Australia, so far, has been the standout performer, winning a gold medal each day of the championships.
The championships have seen four finals each day for the first two days, but the upcoming days will have more than double the gold medals on offer as the events progress from the heats to the semi-finals and finally the finals.
Delta Amidzovski added another gold to Australia’s tally by winning the women’s long jump with a leap of 6.58m. USA’s Sophia Beckmon clinched silver with a jump of 6.54m, while Poland’s Julia Adamczyk took bronze with a 6.34m jump.
China dominated the women’s Discus Throw as Han Bingyang and Huang Jingru secured gold and silver respectively. Australia’s Marley Raikiwasa claimed the bronze with her throw of 56.25m.
The longer events like the men’s and women’s 5000m races took place on the first day, while the shorter 100m races were featured on the second day.
Jamaica’s Alana Reid won the women’s 100m gold, followed by Adaejah Hodge from the British Virgin Islands with silver and Kishawn Niles from Barbados with bronze.
Alana Reid, after competing in her last World U20 Championships, emphasized the importance of perseverance and dreaming big. Bayanda Walaza from South Africa had a memorable victory in the men’s 100m race and expressed his overwhelming emotions post-win.
Thailand’s Puripol Boonson secured silver, followed by South Africa’s Bradley Nkoana with bronze.
