Tokyo : Sarvesh Kushare created a landmark moment for Indian athletics as he cleared a lifetime best of 2.28m to finish joint sixth in the men’s high jump final at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo. The 30-year-old from Maharashtra became the first Indian high jumper to make the final at the World Championships and delivered the country’s best-ever finish in the event.
Kushare’s 2.28m clearance surpassed his previous personal best of 2.27m, set in 2022, and put him just shy of the Indian national record of 2.29m held by Tejaswin Shankar. Kushare and USA’s NACAC champion Tyus Wilson shared sixth place with identical jump series.
The gold medal went to New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr, who soared to a world-leading 2.36m. South Korea’s Woo Sang-hyeok, the indoor world champion, claimed silver with 2.34m, while Czechia’s Jan Stefela secured bronze by clearing 2.31m.
In the qualifying round, Kushare had already set a strong tone by clearing 2.25m to advance as the seventh-best in Group B. This final showing marks a significant improvement from his 13th place finish in the qualification rounds at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he cleared 2.15m.
Other highlights from the championships on the day included Canada’s Ethan Katzberg setting a new championship record in men’s hammer throw with a throw of 84.70m to take gold, and USA’s Cordell Tinch winning men’s 110m hurdles in a speedy 12.99 seconds. Kenyan Faith Kipyegon claimed her fourth world title in the women’s 1500 meters, clocking 3:52.15.
With Kushare’s historic performance, India continues to build its presence in athletics on the global stage, joining the ranks of countrymen like Neeraj Chopra and Anju Bobby George who have previously medaled at the World Championships.
Results Summary – Men’s High Jump Final:
Gold: Hamish Kerr (New Zealand) – 2.36m
Silver: Woo Sang-hyeok (South Korea) – 2.34m
Bronze: Jan Stefela (Czechia) – 2.31m
6th (joint): Sarvesh Kushare (India) & Tyus Wilson (USA) – 2.28m
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