Historic Decathlon Medal for India
Historic Decathlon Medal for India
Tejaswin Shankar has made history by becoming the first Indian to secure a medal in the men’s decathlon at the Commonwealth Games. He claimed a bronze medal in Glasgow, competing despite a persistent knee injury.
Shankar, who holds the national record in the decathlon, accumulated a total of 7,976 points across the 10-event competition, which spans two days. His participation came despite suffering from chronic patellar tendinitis, commonly known as jumper’s knee. This injury had previously led to his withdrawal from the men’s high jump event earlier in the Games.
The athlete expressed his emotions after being forced to pull out of the high jump following his initial attempt due to the injury’s flare-up. This bronze marks Shankar’s second Commonwealth Games medal, following his high jump bronze at the 2022 Birmingham Games. His national decathlon record stands at 8,057 points.
Resilience Amidst Injury and Team Support
Shankar’s journey to the podium was marked by significant challenges. He had also previously earned a silver medal in the decathlon at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. During the Glasgow competition, he concluded the first day in second place after five events, positioned behind Canada’s Damian Warner.
He moved into third place after the ninth event, the javelin throw, and maintained this position after finishing fifth in the 1,500m, the final event. Grenada’s Lindon Victor, a Paris Olympics bronze medallist, secured the gold with 8,096 points, while Warner took the silver with 8,036 points.
Shankar reflected on his performance, stating, “I don’t know if it was adversity or not. But I do know that the competitiveness in me is alive, and in these conditions and environment, I got the kick and the competitiveness.” He added, “I feel good to be in that position where I want to chase something but it is not guaranteed (to get success or not). I feel I am an adrenalin junkie … I was enjoying the challenge, when I was standing for the 1500m (the last of the 10 events).”
His injury had initially led him to believe his Commonwealth Games campaign might be over. However, he participated in five decathlon events on Thursday, July 30. The support from the Indian contingent played a crucial role in his ability to continue.
Shankar noted that nearly every Indian athlete in the contingent checked on his health and offered encouragement during the two days leading up to the event, as he underwent rehabilitation for his knee. He stated, “Well, to be honest with you, there’s not one single athlete out there who did not check on me. Everybody in the team, I mean, this probably makes me feel like it’s not an athletics or a track and field team, but it’s a team sport event because literally every single one of the athletes checked on me.”
This collective support was evident everywhere, from the competition venue to the dining area in the athletes’ village. Shankar found this experience transformative, realizing that his campaign had become part of a larger team effort. He expressed a desire for this culture of mutual support to be promoted in Indian athletics, shifting from an individualistic mindset to one of collective celebration and shared challenges.
Decathlon Performance Highlights
Despite a slow start in the 100m sprint, where he clocked 10.96s, Shankar’s performance included notable achievements. He recorded a personal best of 7.82m in the long jump and delivered a 2.15m effort in his high jump event. The high jump was particularly significant, as it was the same event he had been forced to miss due to his knee injury.
After the first five events, Shankar was in second place with 4,339 points, trailing Warner by 14 points and maintaining a lead of 90 points over England’s Sammy Ball. His ability to remain in medal contention despite the injury and initial setbacks underscored his resilience.
Shankar’s journey through the decathlon, supported by his teammates, highlighted a shift towards a more communal spirit within the Indian contingent. He said, “And I’m so happy that all my teammates have taken that charge and I’m, you know, looking up to all of them.”
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
