# IAAF World Youth Championships in Athletics

The IAAF U18 Championships in Athletics (until 2015 known as IAAF World Youth Championships in Athletics) was a global athletics event comprising track and field events for competitors who were 17 or younger (youth = Under-18). The event was organized by International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). It was held biennially from 1999 to 2017.

## The name change and cancellation

In the 206th IAAF Council Meeting, held after the 2016 Summer Olympics, the council decided to conclude the world championship for under-18 athletes after the 2017 event. The decision was made with the intention of improving under-18 competitions at continental level instead. The competition was renamed to the IAAF World U18 Championships in November 2015, though ultimately only the 2017 competition used this title.
The competition was the under-18 counterpart to the World U20 Championships, which are for athletes who are 19 years of age or under in the year of competition.

## Editions

| Edition | Year | City | Country | Date | Venue | Top of the medal table |
| 1st | 1999 | Bydgoszcz | Poland | 16–18 July | Zdzisław Krzyszkowiak Municipal Stadium | Kenya |
| 2nd | 2001 | Debrecen | Hungary | 12–15 July | Gyulai István Athletic Stadium | United States |
| 3rd | 2003 | Sherbrooke | Canada | 9–13 July | Université de Sherbrooke Stadium | United States |
| 4th | 2005 | Marrakesh | Morocco | 13–17 July | Stade Sidi-Youssef-Ben-Ali [fr] | United States |
| 5th | 2007 | Ostrava | Czech Republic | 11–15 July | Městský stadion | United States |
| 6th | 2009 | Brixen | Italy | 8–12 July | Raiffeisen Arena di Bressanone [pl] | Kenya |
| 7th | 2011 | Lille | France | 6–10 July | Stadium Lille Métropole | United States |
| 8th | 2013 | Donetsk | Ukraine | 10–14 July | RSC Olimpiyskiy | Jamaica |
| 9th | 2015 | Cali | Colombia | 15–19 July | Cali Olympic Stadium | United States |
| 10th | 2017 | Nairobi | Kenya | 12–16 July | Moi International Sports Centre | South Africa |

## Championships records

Key:  Defunct event

### Boys

| Event | Record (wind speed) | Name | Nation | Date | Games | Ref. |
| 100 m | 10.28 (−0.4 m/s) | Abdul Hakim Sani Brown | Japan | 15 July 2015 | 2015 Cali | |
| 200 m | 20.34 (−0.4 m/s) | Abdul Hakim Sani Brown | Japan | 19 July 2015 | 2015 Cali | |
| 400 m | 45.24 | Kirani James | Grenada | 10 July 2009 | 2009 Brixen | |
| 800 m | 1:44.08 | Leonard Kirwa Kosencha | Kenya | 9 July 2011 | 2011 Lille | |
| 1500 m | 3:36.38 | Kumari Taki | Kenya | 17 July 2015 | 2015 Cali | |
| 3000 m | 7:40.10 | William Malel Sitonik | Kenya | 10 July 2011 | 2011 Lille | |
| 110 m hurdles (91.4 cm) | 13.04 A (+0.1 m/s) | De'Jour Russell | Jamaica | 14 July 2017 | 2017 Nairobi | |
| 400 m hurdles (84.0 cm) | 49.01 | William Wynne | United States | 15 July 2007 | 2007 Ostrava | |
| 2000 m steeplechase | 5:19.99 | Meresa Kahsay | Ethiopia | 12 July 2013 | 2013 Donetsk | |
| High jump | 2.27 m | Huang Haiqiang | China | 16 July 2005 | 2005 Marrakech | |
| Pole vault | 5.30 m | Armand Duplantis | Sweden | 19 July 2015 | 2015 Cali | |
| Pole vault | 5.30 m | Vladyslav Malykhin | Ukraine | 19 July 2015 | 2015 Cali | |
| Long jump | 8.05 m (+0.5 m/s) | Maykel Massó | Cuba | 16 July 2015 | 2015 Cali | |
| Triple jump | 17.30 m A (+0.6 m/s) | Jordan A. Díaz | Cuba | 14 July 2017 | 2017 Nairobi | |
| Shot put (5 kg) | 24.35 m | Jacko Gill | New Zealand | 7 July 2011 | 2011 Lille | |
| Discus throw (1.5 kg) | 70.67 m | Mykyta Nesterenko | Ukraine | 13 July 2007 | 2007 Ostrava | |
| Hammer throw (5 kg) | 84.91 m | Hlib Piskunov | Ukraine | 17 July 2015 | 2015 Cali | |
| Javelin throw (700 g) | 83.16 m | Morné Moolman | South Africa | 9 July 2011 | 2011 Lille | |
| Octathlon | 6491 pts | Jake Stein | Australia | 6–7 July 2011 | 2011 Lille | |
| Octathlon | 11.52 (−0.5 m/s) (100 m), 7.22 m (+1.2 m/s) (long jump), 17.22 m (shot put), 51.32 (400 m) / 14.25 (−1.0 m/s) (110 m hurdles), 1.98 m (high jump), 59.65 m (javelin), 2:52.93 (1000 m) | 11.52 (−0.5 m/s) (100 m), 7.22 m (+1.2 m/s) (long jump), 17.22 m (shot put), 51.32 (400 m) / 14.25 (−1.0 m/s) (110 m hurdles), 1.98 m (high jump), 59.65 m (javelin), 2:52.93 (1000 m) | 11.52 (−0.5 m/s) (100 m), 7.22 m (+1.2 m/s) (long jump), 17.22 m (shot put), 51.32 (400 m) / 14.25 (−1.0 m/s) (110 m hurdles), 1.98 m (high jump), 59.65 m (javelin), 2:52.93 (1000 m) | 11.52 (−0.5 m/s) (100 m), 7.22 m (+1.2 m/s) (long jump), 17.22 m (shot put), 51.32 (400 m) / 14.25 (−1.0 m/s) (110 m hurdles), 1.98 m (high jump), 59.65 m (javelin), 2:52.93 (1000 m) | 11.52 (−0.5 m/s) (100 m), 7.22 m (+1.2 m/s) (long jump), 17.22 m (shot put), 51.32 (400 m) / 14.25 (−1.0 m/s) (110 m hurdles), 1.98 m (high jump), 59.65 m (javelin), 2:52.93 (1000 m) | |
| Decathlon | 8002 pts | Niklas Kaul | Germany | 15–16 July 2015 | 2015 Cali | |
| Decathlon | 100 m (wind) Long jump (wind) Shot put High jump 400 m 110 m h (wind) Discus Pole vault Javelin 1500 m 11.59 (−0.2 m/s) 6.76 m (+1.1 m/s) 16.08 m (5 kg) 2.05 m 51.20 15.44 (−0.7 m/s) (91.4 cm) 44.09 m (1.5 kg) 4.70 m 78.20 m (700 g) 4:42.29 | 100 m (wind) Long jump (wind) Shot put High jump 400 m 110 m h (wind) Discus Pole vault Javelin 1500 m 11.59 (−0.2 m/s) 6.76 m (+1.1 m/s) 16.08 m (5 kg) 2.05 m 51.20 15.44 (−0.7 m/s) (91.4 cm) 44.09 m (1.5 kg) 4.70 m 78.20 m (700 g) 4:42.29 | 100 m (wind) Long jump (wind) Shot put High jump 400 m 110 m h (wind) Discus Pole vault Javelin 1500 m 11.59 (−0.2 m/s) 6.76 m (+1.1 m/s) 16.08 m (5 kg) 2.05 m 51.20 15.44 (−0.7 m/s) (91.4 cm) 44.09 m (1.5 kg) 4.70 m 78.20 m (700 g) 4:42.29 | 100 m (wind) Long jump (wind) Shot put High jump 400 m 110 m h (wind) Discus Pole vault Javelin 1500 m 11.59 (−0.2 m/s) 6.76 m (+1.1 m/s) 16.08 m (5 kg) 2.05 m 51.20 15.44 (−0.7 m/s) (91.4 cm) 44.09 m (1.5 kg) 4.70 m 78.20 m (700 g) 4:42.29 | 100 m (wind) Long jump (wind) Shot put High jump 400 m 110 m h (wind) Discus Pole vault Javelin 1500 m 11.59 (−0.2 m/s) 6.76 m (+1.1 m/s) 16.08 m (5 kg) 2.05 m 51.20 15.44 (−0.7 m/s) (91.4 cm) 44.09 m (1.5 kg) 4.70 m 78.20 m (700 g) 4:42.29 | 100 m (wind) Long jump (wind) Shot put High jump 400 m 110 m h (wind) Discus Pole vault Javelin 1500 m 11.59 (−0.2 m/s) 6.76 m (+1.1 m/s) 16.08 m (5 kg) 2.05 m 51.20 15.44 (−0.7 m/s) (91.4 cm) 44.09 m (1.5 kg) 4.70 m 78.20 m (700 g) 4:42.29 |
| 10,000 m walk (track) | 40:51.31 | Pavel Parshin | Russia | 9 July 2011 | 2011 Lille | |
| Sprint medley relay | 1:49.23 | Waseem Williams Michael O'Hara Okeen Williams Martin Manley | Jamaica | 14 July 2013 | 2013 Donetsk | |

### Girls

| Event | Record | Name | Nation | Date | Games |
| 100 m | 11.08 (±0.0 m/s) | Candace Hill | United States | 16 July 2015 | 2015 Cali |
| 200 m | 22.43 (−0.7 m/s) | Candace Hill | United States | 19 July 2015 | 2015 Cali |
| 400 m | 51.19 | Nawal El Jack | Sudan | 15 July 2005 | 2005 Marrakech |
| 800 m | 2:01.13 | Aníta Hinriksdóttir | Iceland | 14 July 2013 | 2013 Donetsk |
| 1500 m | 4:09.48 | Faith Kipyegon | Kenya | 9 July 2011 | 2011 Lille |
| 3000 m | 8:53.94 | Mercy Cherono | Kenya | 11 July 2007 | 2007 Ostrava |
| 100 m hurdles (76.2 cm) | 12.94 (±0.0 m/s) | Yanique Thompson | Jamaica | 11 July 2013 | 2013 Donetsk |
| 400 m hurdles | 55.94 | Sydney McLaughlin | United States | 18 July 2015 | 2015 Cali |
| 2000 m steeplechase | 6:11.83 | Korahubsh Itaa | Ethiopia | 10 July 2009 | 2009 Brixen |
| High jump | 1.92 m | Iryna Kovalenko | Ukraine | 12 July 2003 | 2003 Sherbrooke |
| High jump | 1.92 m A | Yaroslava Mahuchikh | Ukraine | 14 July 2017 | 2017 Nairobi |
| Pole vault | 4.35 m | Vicky Parnov | Australia | 14 July 2007 | 2007 Ostrava |
| Long jump | 6.47 m (+1.3 m/s) | Darya Klishina | Russia | 15 July 2007 | 2007 Ostrava |
| Triple jump | 13.86 m (−0.6 m/s) | Cristine Spataru | Romania | 11 July 2003 | 2003 Sherbrooke |
| Shot put (3 kg) | 20.14 m | Emel Dereli | Turkey | 11 July 2013 | 2013 Donetsk |
| Shot put (4 kg) | 16.87 m | Valerie Adams | New Zealand | 13 July 2001 | 2001 Debrecen |
| Discus throw | 56.34 m | Xie Yuchen | China | 10 July 2013 | 2013 Donetsk |
| Hammer throw (3 kg) | 73.20 m | Réka Gyurátz | Hungary | 13 July 2013 | 2013 Donetsk |
| Hammer throw (4 kg) | 64.61 m | Bianca Perie | Romania | 14 July 2007 | 2007 Ostrava |
| Javelin throw (500 g) | 62.92 m A | Marisleisys Duarthe | Cuba | 16 July 2017 | 2017 Nairobi |
| Javelin throw (600 g) | 59.74 m | Christin Hussong | Germany | 7 July 2011 | 2011 Lille |
| Heptathlon (4 kg Shot put & 600 g Javelin) | 5875 | Tatyana Chernova | Russia | 15–16 July 2005 | 2005 Marrakech |
| Heptathlon (4 kg Shot put & 600 g Javelin) | 13.62 (+1.4 m/s) (100 m hurdles), 1.69 m (high jump), 10.79 m (shot put), 24.79 (+0.2 m/s) (200 m) / 6.13 (+0.5 m/s) (long jump), 48.20 m (javelin throw), 2:21.91 (800 m) | 13.62 (+1.4 m/s) (100 m hurdles), 1.69 m (high jump), 10.79 m (shot put), 24.79 (+0.2 m/s) (200 m) / 6.13 (+0.5 m/s) (long jump), 48.20 m (javelin throw), 2:21.91 (800 m) | 13.62 (+1.4 m/s) (100 m hurdles), 1.69 m (high jump), 10.79 m (shot put), 24.79 (+0.2 m/s) (200 m) / 6.13 (+0.5 m/s) (long jump), 48.20 m (javelin throw), 2:21.91 (800 m) | 13.62 (+1.4 m/s) (100 m hurdles), 1.69 m (high jump), 10.79 m (shot put), 24.79 (+0.2 m/s) (200 m) / 6.13 (+0.5 m/s) (long jump), 48.20 m (javelin throw), 2:21.91 (800 m) | 13.62 (+1.4 m/s) (100 m hurdles), 1.69 m (high jump), 10.79 m (shot put), 24.79 (+0.2 m/s) (200 m) / 6.13 (+0.5 m/s) (long jump), 48.20 m (javelin throw), 2:21.91 (800 m) |
| Heptathlon (with 3 kg Shot Put & 500 g Javelin) | 6037 | Géraldine Ruckstuhl | Switzerland | 17–18 July 2015 | 2015 Cali |
| Heptathlon (with 3 kg Shot Put & 500 g Javelin) | 13.93 (+0.7 m/s) (100 m hurdles/76.2 cm), 1.73 m (high jump), 14.25 m (shot put/3 kg), 25.83 (−0.5 m/s) (200 m) / 5.71 (±0.0 m/s) (long jump), 52.87 m (javelin throw/500 g), 2:17.58 (800 m) | 13.93 (+0.7 m/s) (100 m hurdles/76.2 cm), 1.73 m (high jump), 14.25 m (shot put/3 kg), 25.83 (−0.5 m/s) (200 m) / 5.71 (±0.0 m/s) (long jump), 52.87 m (javelin throw/500 g), 2:17.58 (800 m) | 13.93 (+0.7 m/s) (100 m hurdles/76.2 cm), 1.73 m (high jump), 14.25 m (shot put/3 kg), 25.83 (−0.5 m/s) (200 m) / 5.71 (±0.0 m/s) (long jump), 52.87 m (javelin throw/500 g), 2:17.58 (800 m) | 13.93 (+0.7 m/s) (100 m hurdles/76.2 cm), 1.73 m (high jump), 14.25 m (shot put/3 kg), 25.83 (−0.5 m/s) (200 m) / 5.71 (±0.0 m/s) (long jump), 52.87 m (javelin throw/500 g), 2:17.58 (800 m) | 13.93 (+0.7 m/s) (100 m hurdles/76.2 cm), 1.73 m (high jump), 14.25 m (shot put/3 kg), 25.83 (−0.5 m/s) (200 m) / 5.71 (±0.0 m/s) (long jump), 52.87 m (javelin throw/500 g), 2:17.58 (800 m) |
| 5000 m walk (track) | 20:28.05 | Tatyana Kalmykova | Russia | 12 July 2007 | 2007 Ostrava |
| Sprint medley relay | 2:03.42 | Christania Williams Shericka Jackson Chrisann Gordon Olivia James | Jamaica | 10 July 2011 | 2011 Lille |

## All-time medal table

* Correct as of 2017 edition
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 | United States | 50 | 41 | 40 | 131 |
| 2 | Kenya | 45 | 45 | 25 | 115 |
| 3 | China | 28 | 24 | 13 | 65 |
| 4 | Russia | 27 | 29 | 17 | 73 |
| 5 | Jamaica | 22 | 17 | 19 | 58 |
| 6 | Germany | 20 | 19 | 26 | 65 |
| 7 | South Africa | 18 | 15 | 16 | 49 |
| 8 | Cuba | 18 | 13 | 14 | 45 |
| 9 | Ethiopia | 16 | 18 | 20 | 54 |
| 10 | Australia | 14 | 14 | 13 | 41 |
| 11 | Great Britain | 14 | 5 | 13 | 32 |
| 12 | France | 11 | 6 | 13 | 30 |
| 13 | Romania | 10 | 4 | 10 | 24 |
| 14 | Ukraine | 7 | 13 | 10 | 30 |
| 15 | Japan | 6 | 9 | 16 | 31 |
| 16 | Hungary | 6 | 6 | 3 | 15 |
| 17 | Sweden | 5 | 7 | 3 | 15 |
| 18 | Brazil | 4 | 4 | 7 | 15 |
| 19 | Czech Republic | 4 | 4 | 6 | 14 |
| 20 | Qatar | 4 | 4 | 2 | 10 |
| 21 | Sudan | 4 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| 22 | Poland | 3 | 9 | 4 | 16 |
| 23 | Finland | 3 | 4 | 3 | 10 |
| 24 | Bahamas | 3 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| 24 | Slovenia | 3 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| 26 | Saudi Arabia | 2 | 7 | 4 | 13 |
| 27 | Croatia | 2 | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| 28 | Turkey | 2 | 4 | 1 | 7 |
| 29 | Italy | 2 | 2 | 11 | 15 |
| 30 | Bahrain | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 30 | Ecuador | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 32 | Chinese Taipei | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| 33 | Norway | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 33 | South Korea | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 35 | Grenada | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 35 | New Zealand | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 37 | Syria | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 38 | Belarus | 1 | 7 | 7 | 15 |
| 39 | Spain | 1 | 4 | 5 | 10 |
| 40 | Greece | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| 40 | Trinidad and Tobago | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| 42 | Barbados | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 42 | Ireland | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 44 | Morocco | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 |
| 45 | Bulgaria | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| 46 | Estonia | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 47 | Moldova | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 47 | Switzerland | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 47 | Thailand | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 47 | Venezuela | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 51 | Uzbekistan | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| 52 | Argentina | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 52 | Israel | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 52 | Uruguay | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 55 | Bermuda | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 55 | Chile | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 55 | Iceland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 55 | Iran | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 59 | Canada | 0 | 6 | 7 | 13 |
| 60 | Latvia | 0 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| 61 | Mexico | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| 62 | U.S. Virgin Islands | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 63 | Colombia | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 63 | Egypt | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 63 | Eritrea | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 63 | Slovakia | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 67 | Montenegro | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 67 | Serbia | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| – | Independent Athletes | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 69 | Austria | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 69 | Azerbaijan | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 69 | British Virgin Islands | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 69 | Cyprus | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 69 | Denmark | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 69 | Guyana | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 69 | India | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 69 | Nigeria | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 69 | Samoa | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 69 | Tajikistan | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 79 | Belgium | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 79 | Kazakhstan | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 79 | Lithuania | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 82 | Kuwait | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 82 | Paraguay | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 82 | Portugal | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 82 | Saint Lucia | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 82 | Turks and Caicos Islands | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 82 | Uganda | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 82 | United Arab Emirates | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Totals (88 entries) | Totals (88 entries) | 390 | 393 | 394 | 1,177 |

### Notes

^[1] Independent Athletes were not included in the official medal table.