Long jumper Shaili Singh made it to the finals after topping the qualification round with an effort of 6.40m in the U-20 World Athletics Championships here on Friday.

The 17-year-old Shaili, considered one of the brightest upcoming stars in Indian athletics, achieved her best jump of the day in her third and final attempt after starting off with a 6.34m in Group B. Her second jump recorded 5.98m.

Shaili is considered a medal prospect but the final, which will be held on Sunday, is expected to be a tough affair with some of the world’s best having made the cut.

Sweden’s 18-year-old Maja Askag qualified as the second-best overall after winning Group A with a best jump of 6.39m. Lissandra Maysa Campos (6.36m) of Brazil, Shantae Foreman (6.27m) of Jamaica and Mariia Horielova (6.24m) of Ukraine, who qualified as third, fourth and fifth, respectively, have jumped beyond 6.40m this season.

Shaili, who had won the long jump event at the National (Senior) Inter-State Championships in June with an effort of 6.48m, is the current U-18 world No. 2. The Jhansi-born athlete currently trains at Anju Bobby George’s academy in Bangalore.

In men’s javelin throw final, Kunwar Ajai Raj Singh Rana raised hopes of winning a medal briefly with his second best throw of the year before finishing fifth. The 19-year-old rose to the bronze medal position with his 73.68m fourth round throw, his best of the day, but Nigeria’s Chnecherem Nnamdi regained the third place with 74.48m.

Nandini Agasara made it to the women’s 100m hurdles semi-finals but failed to progress further.