Tejaswin Shankar is one of India’s top track and field athletes, known for his achievements in high jump, heptathlon, and decathlon.
Born on December 21, 1998, in Delhi, he initially dreamt of cricket but later discovered his talent in athletics, quickly becoming a national record-holder.
Blessed with height and agility, Shankar broke the national high jump record (2.29m outdoor, 2.28m indoor) and later excelled in multi-event competitions.
This article covers his early life, career milestones, national records, multi-event transition, 2026 Asian Indoor gold, and career-best performances.
Tejaswin Shankar Career Overview
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Tejaswin Shankar |
| Born | 21 Dec 1998, Delhi, India |
| Sports | High Jump, Heptathlon, Decathlon |
| National Records | High Jump: 2.29m (outdoor), Decathlon: 7826 points |
| Personal Best | Decathlon: 7947 points (wind-assisted, Mar 2026) |
| Major Achievements | Gold Medal- 2026 Asian Indoor Athletics (Heptathlon) BronzeMedal- 2022 Commonwealth Games; |
| Education/Training | Kansas State University, NCAA system, USA |
Tejaswin Shankar: Early Life and Shift from Cricket
Tejaswin Shankar grew up in Delhi, initially aiming to play cricket because of his father’s BCCI connection. His height made fielding difficult, and he was not selected at the Under-16 level.
Guided by his school coach, he switched to athletics to improve running mechanics and agility.
Starting with 400m and triple jump, Shankar soon discovered a natural talent for high jump, winning bronze at the 2013 Delhi state championships.
This switch marked the beginning of his athletic career, as he gradually left cricket behind to focus on high jump and multi-events full-time.
Tejaswin Shankar: High Jump Career and National Records
Tejaswin Shankar began making headlines as a teenager, breaking the 12-year-old Indian national high jump record at 17 by clearing 2.26m in 2016. This performance marked him as India’s top young high jumper almost overnight.
In 2018, while competing for Kansas State University, he set the outdoor record of 2.26 m to 2.29 m and the indoor record of 2.28m, winning two NCAA Division I titles.
His success in the U.S. showcased his ability to compete at the highest international collegiate level.
At the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Shankar cleared 2.22m to win bronze, India’s first high jump medal at the event. Even after shifting focus to decathlon, he continues to dominate the vertical jump, recently clearing 2.26m in 2026.
Tejaswin Shankar: Decathlon and Multi-Event Success
After excelling in the high jump, Tejaswin Shankar gradually moved to the decathlon, making his debut at the Big 12 Conference Championships in 2022, where he scored 7,592 points and finished third.
This step marked the start of his journey in multi-event athletics. In 2023, he improved to 7,648 points at the Jim Click Shootout, earning qualification for the Asian Games.
He then won bronze at the Asian Athletics Championships and silver at the Hangzhou Asian Games, setting the official Indian decathlon record of 7,826 points.
Shankar’s peak performance came in March 2026 with a career-best 7,947 points at the David Noble Relays in Texas.
Though wind-assisted, this score shows his elite versatility and confirms his status as one of India’s top multi-event athletes.
Tejaswin Shankar: 2026 Asian Indoor Athletics Gold and Records
Tejaswin Shankar won India’s only gold medal at the 2026 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Tianjin, scoring 5,993 points in the heptathlon. This performance broke his previous national record of 5,650 points.
His victory ended India’s 16-year wait for a heptathlon medal and set a championship record, achieving the second-best score ever by an Asian athlete.
A strong 2.23m high jump and consistent results across other events ensured his dominance, reinforcing Shankar’s reputation as India’s top multi-event athlete and highlighting his continued excellence on the continental stage.
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Conclusion: Tejaswin Shankar Is India’s Premier Multi-Event Athletics Star
Tejaswin Shankar’s journey from a cricket-loving teenager in Delhi to India’s top high jumper and multi-event athlete shows determination, adaptability, and talent. His records in high jump, decathlon, and heptathlon highlight his exceptional versatility.
With medals at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, Asian Athletics Championships, and the 2026 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, Shankar has consistently delivered on big stages, setting benchmarks for Indian athletics.
His recent career-best performances and continued dominance in multiple events signal a bright future. Shankar remains an inspiring figure for young athletes, proving that focus, hard work, and resilience lead to success.
