GLASGOW — National record holder Tejaswin Shankar etched his name into Indian sporting folklore on Friday, overcoming physical agony and heartbreak to secure a historic bronze medal in the men's decathlon at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
With this feat, the 27-year-old became the first Indian athlete ever to win a CWG medal in the grueling 10-event discipline, tallying a total of 7,976 points over two days of intense competition.
Shankar’s historic podium finish comes as a testament to sheer grit. The Delhi-born athlete competed through severe pain caused by chronic patellar tendinitis (jumper’s knee)—the same injury that had forced him to withdraw in tears from the individual men's high jump event earlier in the Games after his opening attempt.
Rather than letting the setback end his campaign, Shankar channeled his frustration into the decathlon, fighting through 10 demanding events to deliver a performance for the history books.
A Rollercoaster Path to the Podium
Shankar got off to a blistering start on the opening day, holding the second position behind Olympic champion Damian Warner of Canada after five events. As the competition moved into its final stages on Friday, the battle for the podium intensified.
After the ninth event—the javelin throw—Shankar slipped into third place. He then sealed his historic bronze with a determined fifth-place finish in the 1,500m race, the final leg of the two-day battle.
Paris Olympics bronze medalist Lindon Victor of Grenada captured the gold medal with a top score of 8,096 points, while Canada’s Damian Warner took silver with 8,036 points.
‘The Competitiveness in Me Is Alive’
Speaking after the victory, an emotional Shankar reflected on the intense mental and physical challenge he endured to cross the finish line.
"I don't know if it was adversity or not, but I do know that the competitiveness in me is alive," Shankar said. "In these conditions and environment, I got the kick and the competitive edge. I feel good to be in a position where I want to chase something, even when success isn't guaranteed."
"I am an adrenaline junkie. I was actually enjoying the challenge when I was standing on the track for the 1,500m. Now, I will try to get that feeling back, get fitter and healthier, and target the gold at the upcoming Asian Games," he added.
This bronze marks Shankar’s second medal at the Commonwealth Games, adding to his high jump bronze from the 2022 Birmingham Games. Shankar, who also holds the Indian national record in decathlon with 8,057 points and won a silver medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, has once again established himself as one of India's most versatile track and field stars.
