Vinesh Phogat shares emotional message for Tejaswin Shankar ahead of decathlon final at CWG 2026
Tejaswin Shankar is India’s lone representative in the decathlon
India’s Tejaswin Shankar has experienced incredible highs and lows during the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2026. The 27-year-old participated in the men’s long jump event, but his competition was cut short due to a flare-up of a prior patellar tendon injury.
This happened during his warm-up, and because of this, Shankar was forced to withdraw from the long jump event after just his first attempt. Tejaswin could not hold back his tears following the event, and admitted that he would do his best to recover from the injury setback and compete in the decathlon.
Related: Commonwealth Games 2026: Updated medal tally after Day 7, July 30
Shankar has since achieved his comeback, which looked improbable back then. The New Delhi native is currently participating in the men’s decathlon and is the only Indian representative in the event
As he prepares for the final events of the decathlon, which concludes on Friday, July 31, with the men’s 1500m event, Shankar would be boosted by the message of support from wrestler Vinesh Phogat.
The Olympian took to social media to lend support to Shankar following his injury-enforced withdrawal from the long jump event.
“Teju, still you can do it. Stay focused on what’s ahead,” Phogat wrote on X. “My coach always said, as professional athletes we must always be prepared for the best and at the same time, be ready for the worst.”
“In life, everything happened for a reason, I guess. Rooting for you as always,” she wrote.
Related: Commonwealth Games 2026: India’s updated schedule for Day 8 (July 31)
Tejaswin Shankar remains in medal hunt
Despite his early injury setback, Tejaswin Shankar seems to have gotten past his injury issues and is firmly in medal contention in the decathlon event. He began slowly, finishing seventh in the 100m event.
However, he made a brilliant comeback in the long jump event, finishing first with a personal-best leap of 7.82m. In the shot put, he registered a best effort of 13.09m to earn 673 points. In Shankar’s favourite discipline, the high jump event, he finished first with 2.15m, earning 944 points. He added 837 points in the 400m event.
Shankar continued his rise in the 110m hurdles event, finishing second in his heat with a time of 14.41 seconds, earning 922 points. The Indian athlete registered a personal-best effort of 40.44m in the discus throw event.
Related: Commonwealth Games 2026 (CWG) Day 8 Live Updates
Tejaswin Shankar remains in second place in the decathlon standings with 5,935 points. Canada’s Damian Warner remains in first place with 5,938 points. Grenada’s Lindon Victor is in third place with 5,885 points.
All the athletes will compete in the pole vault and javelin throw events, with the decathlon concluding with the 1500m event later tonight.
Where and when are the Commonwealth Games 2026 taking place?
The Commonwealth Games 2026 will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2.
How has Tejaswin Shankar performed in CWG 2-26 decathlon so far?
Despite his injury, Tejaswin Shankar is in second place overall with 5935 points, just behind Canada’s Damian Warner (5938). He is yet to compete in the pole vault, javelin throw, and 1500m events.
How many medals have Indian athletes won at Commonwealth Games 2026?
Indian athletes have won 17 medals so far at the Glasgow Games – three golds, 10 silvers, and four bronzes.
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Sushruta has spent over two years covering football, with a particular focus on Indian and international competitions. Alongside football, he has reported on a variety of sports, bringing curiosity and perspective to every story. When he’s not following the action, he can usually be found binge-watching movies or getting lost in a good book.