Haryana’s Nishchay set a new national record in the boys’ under-18 discus throw with a distance of 66.75 metres at the 41st National Junior Athletics Championships in Chennai on October 26, 2026. He surpassed the previous record of 64.09 metres, set by Arjun in 2010, to secure gold. The achievement marks a significant milestone in the athlete’s career and highlights the progress of India’s emerging field-event talent.
Record-Breaking Throw
Nishchay opened his campaign at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai with a throw of 64.72 metres, already surpassing the previous national record. He improved the mark further to 66.75 metres on his second legal attempt, establishing a new benchmark in the boys’ under-18 category.
His third attempt measured 64.70 metres, while his final three attempts were recorded as no marks. However, his second throw proved decisive in securing the gold medal. Rajasthan’s Vishal Kumar finished second with 57.72 metres, while Haryana’s Dev Chauhan claimed bronze with 55.28 metres.
Nishchay’s winning distance exceeded the previous record by 2.66 metres and gave him a winning margin of 9.03 metres over the silver medallist. The performance ended a record that had stood since April 2010, when Arjun established the previous mark in Coimbatore.
Progress Through Competition
Nishchay’s earlier performances show consistent progress in both discus throw and shot put, two technically demanding field events that require strength, coordination, and precision.
At the 20th National Youth Athletics Championships in Patna in March 2025, Nishchay won gold medals in both events, recording 62.14 metres in discus throw and 18.93 metres in shot put. Later that year, he secured the boys’ under-18 discus throw title at the 40th National Junior Athletics Championships with a distance of 63.69 metres, improving the previous meet record of 60.17 metres. He also won shot put gold with a throw of 19.48 metres.
These performances established him as a promising junior athlete before his latest breakthrough. His progression from 63.69 metres at the 2025 junior championships to 66.75 metres in Chennai represents a substantial improvement in his competitive performance.
International Experience
Nishchay has also tested himself against international competition. At the Asian U20 Athletics Championships in May 2026, he won silver in the men’s discus throw with a personal-best distance of 60.10 metres. Kazakhstan’s Maxim Sazhnev took gold with 60.45 metres.
In June 2026, Nishchay won the men’s U20 discus throw title at Indian Athletics Series-9 in Ludhiana with a throw of 59.12 metres. He also competed at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Oregon, United States, in August 2026, finishing 16th in qualification with a throw of 59.46 metres and missing out on the final.
His latest performance in Chennai demonstrates further progress in the under-18 category, although continued improvement at the international level will depend on maintaining consistency against stronger competition.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Nishchay’s achievement reflects the dedication and discipline required to break long-standing sporting records. His progress also underlines the importance of investing in grassroots athletics, supporting qualified coaches, and ensuring that young athletes have access to quality training facilities and competitive opportunities.
Celebrating emerging talent is important, but sustained support is equally essential to help sportspersons develop beyond their early successes. As Nishchay continues his athletic journey, his record offers encouragement to aspiring athletes across the country.
What more can India do to support young athletes and help promising talent succeed at national and international levels?
Read More: Haryana’s 13-Year-Old Varun Bhambhu Shatters U14 National Record With 71.20m Throw
