India’s growing presence in the American collegiate athletics circuit received another timely boost as Tejaswin Shankar and Selva Prabhu delivered encouraging performances at the Thane Baker Invitational, marking a positive start to the 2026 indoor season.
The meet, part of the early NCAA indoor calendar, is often viewed as a useful benchmark rather than a peak-performance event. Athletes are typically still working through heavy training phases, focusing on rhythm, technical sharpness, and race execution. Within that context, the results posted by the two Indians underline steady progression and provide valuable signals ahead of a long competitive year.
For Tejaswin Shankar, the meet was particularly significant. Competing in the men’s 60m hurdles, the Indian decathlete clocked 8.16 seconds in the heats, a second best time that immediately stood out. He followed that up with 8.13 seconds in the final, once again improving his second best and finishing fourth in a competitive field dominated by NCAA specialists. Indoor hurdles, especially the 60m format, demand precision from the first step, and Shankar’s ability to string together two personal bests on the same day reflected both technical refinement and improved race composure.
While Shankar has long been recognised in India for his versatility across events, the hurdles have emerged as an area of consistent progress over the last two seasons. His times at the Thane Baker Invitational suggest that the work done on start mechanics, hurdle clearance, and sprint speed during the off-season is translating effectively to competition. Though the final did not yield a podium finish, the gap to the top three was marginal, and the performance positions him well for faster tracks and deeper competition later in the indoor circuit.
Shankar also took part in the shot put, where he recorded a best throw of 13.41 metres. While not among his strongest events historically, the effort served its purpose as a season opener. For multi-event athletes like Shankar, early competitions are as much about finding competitive rhythm as they are about distances and times. The shot put mark, achieved alongside two demanding hurdle races, underlined his ability to manage workload across disciplines, a crucial factor as the season progresses.
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Equally noteworthy was the performance of Selva Prabhu in the men’s triple jump. The Tamil Nadu athlete produced a best effort of 16.49 metres, securing first place and announcing his intent early in the indoor season. The jump was not only enough for victory but also a technically encouraging mark given the timing of the competition. Indoor triple jump often presents challenges with shorter runways and tighter take-off zones, making consistency and control vital.
Prabhu’s 16.49m effort places him firmly among the stronger performers in the NCAA circuit at this stage of the season. More importantly, it reflects continuity from his previous outdoor campaigns, where he has steadily built towards international competitiveness. Early indoor success often sets the tone for confidence, and Prabhu’s opener suggests that his training cycle is aligned well with the demands of the collegiate schedule.
From an Indian athletics perspective, these results carry significance beyond individual performances. The NCAA system has increasingly become a valuable development pathway for Indian athletes, offering access to high-quality facilities, regular competition, and structured sports science support. Performances like those at the Thane Baker Invitational reinforce the value of this exposure, particularly in technical events where repetition under pressure is essential.
It is also important to contextualise these outcomes appropriately. Early-season indoor meets are not definitive indicators of peak form, nor are they the final word on an athlete’s competitive ceiling for the year. However, they do offer clarity on preparation levels and highlight areas of strength and adjustment. For Shankar, the hurdles appear to be moving in the right direction, while for Prabhu, the triple jump foundation looks solid and competition-ready.
As the NCAA indoor calendar gathers momentum, both athletes will have multiple opportunities to build on these performances, refine execution, and push for higher benchmarks.
For now, the Thane Baker Invitational has provided Indian athletics with a reassuring early signal: the season has begun on a positive note, and the trajectory, at least in January, is pointing in the right direction.
