Tejaswin Shankar secures decathlon bronze medal in Glasgow

Indian athlete Tejaswin Shankar won a bronze medal in the men's decathlon at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Saturday, August 1. Competing through severe physical discomfort caused by chronic patellar tendinitis, often called jumper's knee, the 27-year-old star accumulated a total of 7,976 points across the grueling 10-event discipline over two days. Prior to this Glasgow event, no Indian track and field star had ever secured a medal in the demanding decathlon at the Commonwealth Games, making this achievement an unprecedented milestone for national athletics.

Earlier in the 2026 Glasgow Games, intense knee pain forced Shankar to withdraw from the men's high jump competition right after his first attempt. This early exit left the Delhi-born athlete visibly heartbroken and in tears. However, he showed incredible resilience to bounce back for the multi-discipline decathlon. He finished the opening day in second place behind Damian Warner of Canada. Entering the final day, he maintained his strict focus. He climbed into third position following the javelin throw, which served as the ninth event. Finally, a solid fifth-place finish in the concluding 1500m race guaranteed his spot on the podium.

Final Standings and Past Records

His final score of 7,976 points fell just shy of his personal national record of 8,057 points, but it was enough to make history. Lindon Victor of Grenada, who previously won bronze at the Paris Olympics, took home the gold medal with 8,096 points. Canadian athlete Damian Warner claimed the silver medal by accumulating 8,036 points. This new decathlon bronze is Shankar's second Commonwealth Games medal, complementing the high jump bronze he earned at the 2022 edition in Birmingham. Furthermore, he holds a prestigious silver medal from the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, cementing his status as one of the top combined-event athletes in Asia today.

Image Courtesy: ANI