Tejaswin Shankar secures second place in decathlon despite knee injury

Indian decathlete Tejaswin Shankar, battling a knee injury, ended the first day of the decathlon in second place with 4,339 points, trailing only Tokyo Olympic champion Damian Warner. The national record holder delivered a mix of personal bests and determined performances across five events, showcasing resilience in a highly competitive field.

Personal Best in Long Jump Highlights the Day

Despite his injury, Shankar achieved a remarkable personal best in the long jump, leaping 7.82m and surpassing his previous best of 7.67m. This effort earned him 1,015 points, propelling him to second place after the event. However, an average performance in the shot put, with a best throw of 13.09m, saw him drop to fifth overall after three events.

High Jump Performance Keeps Him in Contention

Shankar, known for his high jump prowess, faced limitations due to his knee issue but still managed a jump of 2.15m, earning 944 points. This placed him back in second position with a total of 3,502 points after four events. His jump gave him a 15-centimetre advantage over his closest competitor, highlighting his dominance in the discipline despite not being at his peak.

Solid Finish in 400m Secures Second Spot

In the final event of the day, the 400m, Shankar clocked 49.51 seconds, falling short of his personal best of 48.29 seconds but doing enough to maintain his second-place standing. He ended the day just behind Warner, with a strong lead over other competitors, including reigning Commonwealth Games medallist London Victor of Grenada.

What Lies Ahead

Shankar will face five more events on the second day: the 110m hurdles, pole vault, discus throw, javelin throw, and the 1500m. Competing against world-class athletes, including Warner and Victor, his performance so far underscores his determination and ability to adapt under challenging conditions.

Source: Indian Express