Tejaswin Shankar Opens Up On Struggles Behind Historic Commonwealth Games Decathlon Bronze

Indian athlete Tejaswin Shankar has opened up about the emotional struggles behind his historic Commonwealth Games decathlon bronze medal, revealing that he reached a point during the competition where he “gave up” and questioned whether years of hard work had been wasted. Despite battling injury and uncertainty, Shankar went on to create history by becoming India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games medallist in the decathlon event. Shankar’s achievement became even more significant because of the challenges he faced before and during the competition in Glasgow.

The athlete suffered a knee injury during the warm-up for the men’s high jump event, creating doubts over whether he would be able to participate in the decathlon. Initially, Shankar withdrew from the event, with the official Commonwealth Games roster showing a “DNS” (Did Not Start) status against his name. However, he later decided to make a late attempt to compete. After failing his opening high jump attempt, he withdrew again, leaving his participation in serious doubt. Reflecting on the difficult period after the Games, Shankar shared an emotional message on social media, describing the mental and physical challenges he experienced during one of the toughest weeks of his sporting career.

“There are moments in life when you feel like everything you've worked for is slipping away. This week, I had one of those moments,” Shankar wrote. The athlete admitted that the situation became overwhelming at one stage and that he briefly lost hope. He said there was a moment during the competition when he felt like giving up and wondered if all the years of preparation and sacrifice had been for nothing. However, Shankar managed to overcome the setback and complete the decathlon, securing a bronze medal in a performance that highlighted his determination and resilience.

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His achievement marked a landmark moment for Indian athletics, as the country had never previously won a Commonwealth Games medal in the demanding multi-event discipline. The decathlon tests athletes across 10 events, including sprinting, jumping and throwing disciplines, requiring exceptional endurance, versatility and mental strength. Completing the competition itself is considered a major challenge, making Shankar’s medal-winning performance even more remarkable given his injury concerns.

The 27-year-old athlete has previously represented India in high jump and has been recognised as one of the country’s leading track and field competitors. His transition into the decathlon added another dimension to his career and demonstrated his ability to compete across multiple disciplines. Shankar’s journey at the Commonwealth Games also highlighted the importance of mental strength in elite sport. His willingness to continue despite setbacks and physical discomfort became a defining part of his historic performance.

The bronze medal not only added a major achievement to Shankar’s career but also provided Indian athletics with a significant milestone. His story of overcoming injury, doubt and emotional struggles has resonated with fans and fellow athletes. By sharing the difficult moments behind his success, Shankar offered a glimpse into the challenges athletes often face beyond the competition arena. His Commonwealth Games journey serves as a reminder that sporting achievements are often built on perseverance through moments of uncertainty and adversity.

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