Indian hurdler Tejas Shirse, the national record holder in the men’s 110m hurdles, delivered another strong performance in Europe, clocking a season-best 13.51 seconds at the Meeting voor Mon in Belgium, a World Athletics Continental Tour Challenger event.
The 23-year-old finished second in the Elite Heat 1, demonstrating both form and resilience as he builds toward the domestic Inter-State Championships in Chennai later this month. For Shirse, the 13.51s run was not just about finishing second; it was about rediscovering rhythm after an injury setback earlier this year. In July, he was forced to withdraw from competition due to fitness issues, a cruel blow at a time when he was peaking in training. The absence was particularly painful given the years of hard preparation he had invested in the lead-up to the European season.
His return came at the IFAM Oordegem meet in Belgium, a World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze event, where he clocked 13.73s to finish sixth in his heat and ninth overall across three heats. While that race was primarily about regaining sharpness, his latest outing at Meeting voor Mon showed significant improvement. With cleaner hurdling, sharper take-offs, and smoother rhythm between barriers, he sliced more than two-tenths off that comeback time to clock 13.51s—a season’s best and his second-fastest timing ever.
The Benchmark: 13.41s in Jyväskylä
Shirse’s personal best remains the 13.41s he clocked at the Motonet GP in Jyväskylä, Finland, in 2023, a performance that not only shattered the Indian national record but also firmly established him among Asia’s elite hurdlers. That run continues to stand as the benchmark of his career, but his 13.51s in Belgium now sits just a fraction behind it.
Consistency at that high level is critical for hurdlers aiming for global impact, and Shirse’s trajectory suggests he is finding his way back into peak form. Importantly, both of his fastest times have come in European competitions, reflecting the benefit of competing in strong international fields that push athletes to their limits. At Meeting voor Mon, Shirse ran with a clear tactical approach. Known for his aggressive start and strong drive phase, he attacked the first three hurdles with precision, establishing early momentum.
As the race progressed, his big strides and controlled arm movement allowed him to maintain rhythm through the mid-phase, minimizing contact with the hurdles. Observers noted that he consistently targeted clean barrier clearance, a critical improvement after his comeback race in Oordegem, where slight stuttering between hurdles cost him rhythm. His Belgium run showed greater balance crucial in a race where a single misstep can add valuable fractions of a second.
Though he finished second, the result was less important than the quality of execution. The fact that his 13.51s came in August, after a mid-season injury break, suggests he still has more left in the tank as the domestic calendar resumes.
From Setbacks to Strength
Shirse’s journey this season has been far from linear. Injury forced him out of competition in July, robbing him of momentum during an important phase of his European circuit. The setback echoed the cruel nature of sprint hurdles, where years of preparation can sometimes unravel in a split second due to a minor misstep or strain. But his return at Oordegem, followed by his season-best in Mon, highlights a key trait of successful athletes: resilience.
Instead of being discouraged, Shirse has used the races to gradually rebuild speed, rhythm, and confidence. This resilience mirrors his broader career arc. Coming from Maharashtra, Shirse steadily rose through the domestic circuit, breaking into prominence with his ability to combine raw speed with technical proficiency over hurdles. His record-breaking run in Jyväskylä last year was the culmination of that progress, and his performances since then suggest he is determined to build on that legacy.
Looking Ahead: Inter-State Championships in Chennai
The next stop for Shirse is the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Chennai, a crucial event not only for domestic bragging rights but also as part of the qualification pathway toward upcoming major meets. With a season-best 13.51s under his belt, Shirse will enter Chennai as the favorite in the 110m hurdles, where his national record already makes him the man to beat.
The Chennai meet will also provide him a chance to fine-tune his race strategy under Indian conditions, preparing him for the Asian circuit and potential World Athletics qualification events. With major competitions like the 2026 Asian Games and Los Angeles 2028 Olympics in sight, every race now is part of a broader preparation cycle.
Shirse’s rise is emblematic of a broader shift in Indian athletics. Traditionally known for long-distance running, throws, and walking events, India has in recent years begun producing sprinters and hurdlers who can compete internationally. Athletes like Shirse, with his mix of raw speed and technical acumen, represent a new wave of Indian track talent aiming to break stereotypes and set fresh benchmarks. His performances abroad, particularly his ability to consistently run under 13.60s, put him in the conversation with Asia’s best, and hint at future potential against global competition.
From the heartbreak of missing July competitions due to injury to the satisfaction of clocking a season-best 13.51s in Belgium, Tejas Shirse’s 2025 campaign has been one of resilience and determination. His run at Meeting voor Mon his second-fastest ever demonstrates that the national record holder is regaining his best form.
As he now heads into the Inter-State Championships in Chennai, Shirse has both momentum and confidence on his side. With his lethal combination of a big stride pattern, clean hurdling technique, and explosive speed, he looks poised not just for domestic dominance but also to continue India’s growing presence on the global track stage.
