Glasgow, Scotland – In the back-breaking, unforgiving world of decathlon, Tejaswin Shankar battled pain from a knee injury, self-doubt, and Glasgow’s biting weather to script history at the Commonwealth Games. The Indian all-rounder produced personal-best performances in three disciplines—long jump, discus throw, and javelin throw—to clinch a historic bronze medal at the Scotstoun Stadium on Friday. With a total of 7,976 points, Tejaswin became the first Indian to win a Games medal in the grueling decathlon event.
Tejaswin’s podium finish places him behind Grenada’s Lindon Victor, who clinched his third straight title with 8,303 points, and Canada’s Damian Warner, who took silver with 8,204 points. The achievement is particularly meaningful for the 29-year-old, who had previously won a bronze in the high jump at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. “This edition, it’s a bronze in decathlon, which is completely different,” he said. Sharing the podium with athletes he has idolized since taking up the sport made the medal even more special. “These are the people whose videos I’ve watched almost every single day since I started competing in the decathlon. To be able to share the podium with them is pretty special,” he added.
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The medal was hard-fought, with Tejaswin overcoming a serious knee injury that had threatened his participation. He credited long jumper Murali Sreeshankar for his advice during recovery: “Just take one day at a time. All you should do is show up.” Those words echoed in his mind throughout the competition. In the final event, the 1500 meters, Tejaswin knew he had to stay close to England’s Sammy Ball, who was lurking close behind in the overall standings. His strategy paid off, securing the bronze. “Long jump and high jump are two events which really aggravate that particular injury that I have. And those are my two strongest scoring events. When that 7.82m (long jump) popped up on the board, I drained all the energy I had by shouting,” he recounted.
Having achieved this historic milestone, Tejaswin now looks ahead to the Asian Games in about six weeks, where he will face the challenge once again. His bronze in Glasgow not only adds a new chapter to Indian athletics but also inspires a generation of aspiring decathletes in the country.
