Gujarat Teen Rahul Jakhar Sets National Record, Wins Asian Gold

Valsad |Gujarat — What began as a curious glance at athletes training on a local ground in Vapi has culminated in a historic moment for Indian athletics. Eighteen-year-old Rahul Jakhar from Charvada village in Gujarat’s Valsad district has scripted history by winning the gold medal in the Decathlon at the 22nd Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong (China).

Rahul delivered a remarkable performance, accumulating 7,185 points to clinch the title and set a new Indian Under-20 National Record in the demanding ten-discipline event.

The achievement marks a major milestone not only for Rahul but also for Indian athletics, as the young athlete emerged as the top decathlete in Asia in the U20 category and broke into the top eight rankings globally in the event.

Born to a family originally from Rajasthan’s Sikar district that later migrated to Vapi and took up building construction business, Rahul’s journey to continental glory is a story of determination, talent and perseverance.

According to his coaches, Rahul’s success is the result of years of hard work, scientific training, expert coaching and Gujarat’s growing sports ecosystem.

“I am grateful to all my coaches who supported me throughout my journey. The Gujarat government has provided excellent facilities and opportunities for athletes. My dream now is to represent India at the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics, and I will continue working hard to prepare for those competitions,” Rahul said over the phone from Hong Kong after his historic victory.

Explaining the significance of the achievement, Rahul’s coach Shivam Upadhyay said the Decathlon is considered one of the toughest events in athletics as competitors must excel across ten disciplines — 100m sprint, long jump, shot put, high jump, 400m sprint, 110m hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw and 1,500m run.

“Rahul delivered a record-breaking performance by scoring 7,185 points and winning the gold medal. He is now the national record holder in the Under-20 category,” Upadhyay said.

Rahul, who recently cleared his Class 11 examinations, trains at the Sports Authority of Gujarat’s High-Performance Centre (HPC) in Nadiad, where he receives advanced coaching and sports science support.

Deputy Chief Minister and Sports Minister Shri Harsh Sanghavi congratulated the young athlete and credited the state’s investment in sports infrastructure for nurturing emerging talent.

“Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat has created a robust sports ecosystem and world-class infrastructure to support athletes. We are committed to providing every possible opportunity for our young sportspersons to excel at national and international levels, and Rahul’s achievement is a reflection of these efforts,” he said.

He added that Gujarat’s preparations to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030 are driving the creation of world-class sporting facilities that will benefit future generations of athletes.

The High-Performance Centre in Nadiad is one of Gujarat’s flagship sports facilities. The elite residential complex provides specialized coaching, sports science support and advanced training facilities to more than 200 athletes across disciplines.

A Chance Encounter That Changed His Life

Rahul’s journey into athletics began unexpectedly. Few years ago, while taking an evening walk with his father in Vapi, he noticed a group of athletes training on a local ground. Curious, he asked them what they were doing.

“They told me they were athletes preparing for competitions. The very next day, I started running on the same ground because I wanted to become an athlete too,” Rahul recalled.

Soon after, he participated in the Khel Mahakumbh competition through his school and won a gold medal in the long jump. That victory ignited his passion for athletics and set him on a path that would eventually lead to continental success.

Today, the teenager who once watched athletes from the sidelines stands atop the Asian podium, carrying the hopes of Indian athletics and dreaming of an Olympic future.

From Grassroot to global 

Rahul Jakhar began his athletic journey under coach Vipul Chaudhary at the District Level Sports School (DLSS) in Gadh, Banaskantha district. Recognising his potential, he was selected in 2024 for advanced training at the High-Performance Centre in Nadiad. Under the guidance of coaches Shivam Upadhyay, Dharmendra Parmar and Satesh Upadhyay, Rahul excelled in the decathlon and other combined events, steadily emerging as a promising athlete.