On June 27, Indian athletics witnessed a monumental moment at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. During the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championship, 31-year-old Sarvesh Kushare from Maharashtra delivered a historic performance in the men's high jump, securing a gold medal and setting a brand-new national record with a stunning leap of 2.31 meters. This performance also confirmed his qualification for the 2026 Asian Games.
Breaking the National Mark on the Third Attempt
Sarvesh Kushare dominated the evening session at the Kalinga Stadium with his exceptional form. He achieved the historic height of 2.31 meters on his third attempt, etching his name into the record books. The previous national record of 2.29 meters was set by Tejaswin Shankar back in April 2018. After securing the new record, Kushare attempted to clear 2.35 meters but was unable to complete the jump. Nevertheless, his successful 2.31-meter leap easily surpassed the Asian Games qualifying standards set by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).
The Journey of a Champion from Nashik
Hailing from Deogaon, a small village in the Nashik district of Maharashtra, Kushare's remarkable achievement is the culmination of years of rigorous training and dedication. His introduction to athletics came during his school days under the guidance of coach R.W. Jadhav. Kushare first made his mark nationally in 2019 by winning the Indian Open High Jump title. He then made a successful international debut at the South Asian Games, clinching a gold medal with a jump of 2.21 meters. His upward trajectory continued at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championship in Bangkok, where he secured a silver medal with a 2.26-meter leap, qualifying him for the Budapest World Championships.
Redefining Limits on the International Stage
Having already represented India at the Paris Olympics, Kushare went on to create history at the 2025 World Athletics Championship in Tokyo. He became the first Indian male high jumper to qualify for the finals of this prestigious global event, ultimately securing an impressive sixth-place finish. At 31, Kushare has delivered the peak performance of his career, demonstrating that age is no barrier to excellence. With this latest national record, he establishes himself as a top medal contender for India in the upcoming Asian Games.
