Five Israeli Athletes Compete in U20 World Athletics Championships in Oregon

The World Athletics U20 Championships will begin on Wednesday in Oregon, USA, marking the first time the event is held there since 2014. The competition will span five days and feature over 1,700 athletes from 200 countries. Israel is sending a delegation of five athletes competing in five events.

The Israeli team includes pole vaulter Yarden Mantel, high jumper Jayden Harel, sprinter Liam Aqua, and hurdlers Hila Versano and Gal Natanel. Seventeen-year-old Hila Versano will make her World Championship debut in the 400-meter hurdles, holding a personal best of 59.53 seconds. Gal Natanel, also competing in the 400-meter hurdles, is participating for the second time and has extensive international experience with a personal best of 59.32 seconds.

Yarden Mantel, competing in pole vault for the second time, arrives with strong momentum after setting a new personal best of 4.16 meters at the Israeli Championships two weeks ago, securing her national title again. Liam Aqua holds the Israeli U20 record in the 60-meter hurdles with 13.77 seconds and has a personal best of 10.39 seconds in the 100 meters. Jayden Harel, the high jumper, has a personal best of 2.18 meters, achieved in January at the stadium hosting the championships, where he placed fifth in the U20 US Championships.

The Israeli athletes aim to build on their recent successes and represent their country on the global stage in this prestigious youth athletics event.