Tejas Shirse's redemption journey continues with gold in Inter State Athletics Championships
![Post Featured](https://assets.khelnow.com/news/uploads/2023/06/Exclusive-Interview-Tejas-Shirse.jpg)
The 21-year-old has won back-to-back gold medals in 110m hurdles at the National Meets
From not finishing the 110m hurdle race in the previous edition of Senior Inter State Athletics Championships to winning gold this year, Tejas Shirse from Maharashtra has seen it all within the span of a year. Last year in Chennai, Tejas found himself behind after an awful fall and was later disqualified. He recalls that as a "nasty" fall. But Tejas has made amends already with a gold-medal winning effort at the National Games last year and the subsequent meets thereafter.
Inter States Triumph
He also won the gold in the same event (110m hurdles) at the ongoing Inter State Athletics Championships 2023 by clocking 13.87 seconds. Although that was way off his personal best (13.61), it was enough for a gold medal in Bhubaneshwar. However, once again Tejas Shirse did not have a good start and was trailing in the first 30-40 metres. Ultimately, the Maharashtrian caught up pace to finish on top of the podium.
Post race, the 21-year-old said, "I got a bad start as the gun shot wasn't audible (100 percent clear) resulting in a late start. On top of it the weather wasn't favouring either, with soaring temperature and humidity. But overall, it was a good learning experience."
"Also last year, I couldn't finish the race properly due to a nasty fall, as I had issues with my vision under the floodlights. On the other hand, I'm comfortable running races in the morning under natural sun light. Going forward, I am looking for viable options with respect to the spectacles which shouldn't hamper my performance."
Injury Layoff and performance in 2023
Before the start of Inter States, Tejas Shirse brought down his personal best time from 13.84 to 13.61 at the Federation Cup held in May earlier this year, missing the Asian Championships qualifying by a meagre 0.04 sec. He began the season by taking part in the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships and since has looked good even bettering his timings.
"The season as of now is going in the right direction, although I did not perform well at the Interstates. After the National Games triumph last year, I was injured for around four to five months time due to which the off season got affected. In between the injury layoff, I took part in the National Open Athletics Championships and secured the second spot," he added.
Tejas got injured post the National Games which was a huge setback for him. He then joined Reliance High Performance centre in December last year, where he did his rehab and was slowly getting back to the normal.
![](https://assets-webp.khelnow.com/news/uploads/2023/06/331041648_5843164542457384_8376714697605383187_n.jpg.webp)
"Post rehab, I started the season by taking part in the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships but couldn't perform to my best. Since then, the performance has been in the upward direction. I even breached my PB time of 13.61 at the Federations Cup."
The youngster also added, "James Hillier (coach) saw me perform at the National Games and has known me before the Games as well. It took me some time to adapt but within a few days got on the same page, working together with certain set of plans for a long-term vision. He asks me to focus on the progress while the result will take care of itself."
"There wasn't proper planning nor structure before joining Reliance. At Reliance, we have good strengthening program which has helped me progress and in specific it has been a major factor in helping me perform better this season. My off season got affected without proper planning but now I am aware what needs to be done in the off season".
Season Ahead
The Asian Games qualifying mark was set at 13.57 seconds. Under the guidelines issued by AFI all the athletes needed to breach the qualification mark in order to get selected for the Asian Games. Tejas got close to the qualifying mark at the Federation Cup. "As said before, I have performed well in the last couple of meets and let's see if AFI gives me a chance to participate in the Asian Games."
![](https://assets-webp.khelnow.com/news/uploads/2023/06/image-105.png.webp)
"In July we will be heading to Spain for a training camp and would also be travelling to other European countries for exposure meets. My main focus will be to utilize the tour and learn from the competitions. Also I will be without any pressure which will ultimately help me in bettering my performance."
Tejas further said, "there isn't anything specific which I would want to achieve but subconsciously there is NR mark which needs to be breached. Siddhanth Thingalaya, the current national record holder, has been a very good mentor and personally have learnt hurdling by looking at him. We have spoken several times in the past and one day it would be great to have my name next to him after breaking his NR mark."
- Uganda's Jacob Kiplimo sets new half-marathon world record
- USA's Grant Fisher breaks 5000m indoor world record in Boston
- Jacob Ingebrigtsen smashes 1500m and indoor mile World records at Lievin Athletics Meet
- West Bengal athlete Moumita Mondal reflects on her achievement at National Games 2025
- National Games 2025 full schedule, venues, dates, sports, all you need to know
- Neeraj Chopra's likely calendar for 2025: Full list of events Javelin ace could participate in
- Indian Sports Calendar February 2025: ICC Champions Trophy, National Games, FIH Pro League and more events to watch
- India to host global javelin competition headline by Neeraj Chopra
- Full list of events in Indian athletics domestic calendar 2025
- Full list of events in athletics calendar 2025