Indian hurdler Madhvendra Shekhawat has opened his 2026 athletics season on a positive note, clocking 7.84 seconds in the 60m hurdles to finish second at the Corky Classic.
While indoor season openers are rarely about peak performance, the timing and context of this run make it an important marker for an athlete entering a crucial comeback phase. For Shekhawat, the start of 2026 carries added significance. His 2025 season ended earlier than expected, concluding in May, and the months since have been about rebuilding rhythm, confidence, and competitive sharpness. The 7.84s effort suggests that the foundations laid during the off-season are beginning to translate back into race conditions, offering reassurance ahead of a long and demanding year.
The 60m hurdles is a discipline that places a premium on acceleration, reaction time, and technical precision. A January performance within touching distance of one’s personal best is often seen as a healthy indicator of preparation rather than an endpoint. Shekhawat’s lifetime best in the event stands at 7.64 seconds, achieved in early 2025, and being within two-tenths of that mark at his season opener indicates that his speed and mechanics are largely intact.
Last year was a study in contrasts for the Indian hurdler. Indoors, he delivered a historic performance by equalling the national record in the 60m hurdles. Outdoors, he went on to set a lifetime best of 13.70 seconds in the 110m hurdles, underlining his potential over the full distance. However, his campaign ended on a disappointing note at the NCAA preliminary rounds, where he was unable to progress further, effectively bringing his season to a close earlier than planned.
That early exit has framed 2026 as a year of reset and resurgence. The extended off-season allowed Shekhawat time to address technical inconsistencies, manage physical wear, and rebuild his base without the pressure of chasing weekly results. His return to competition at the Corky Classic, therefore, was less about winning and more about testing readiness and the outcome appears encouraging.
The bigger picture, however, lies outdoors. As Shekhawat transitions towards the 110m hurdles later in the season, the focus will sharpen on qualification for the Asian Games. The Athletics Federation of India has set a qualifying standard of 13.63 seconds, a demanding mark that sits just 0.07 seconds below his personal best. In sprint hurdling, that margin may seem small, but at the elite level it represents a significant technical and physical challenge.
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Bridging that gap will require more than raw speed. Shekhawat’s strengths lie in his acceleration and early race phases, qualities that serve him well indoors. Outdoors, sustaining rhythm and efficiency over ten hurdles becomes critical. The conversion from a strong 60m hurdler to a consistent 110m performer often hinges on maintaining form through the latter half of the race, where fatigue and loss of coordination can undo early gains.
The early indoor races will play a key role in sharpening Shekhawat’s start mechanics, hurdle clearance efficiency, and three-step rhythm between barriers. Each competition offers feedback not just on time, but on how comfortably the race pattern holds under pressure. A 7.84s opener suggests that while there is room for improvement, the basic structure of his race is sound.
Equally important will be how Shekhawat manages the length of the season. With collegiate competitions, national trials, and international qualification windows all in play, peaking at the right time becomes a strategic exercise. The challenge is not simply to run fast once, but to sustain form long enough to meet standards and be competitive when it matters most.
As he builds towards the outdoor circuit, Shekhawat’s progress will be closely watched within Indian athletics. The men’s hurdles have seen renewed depth in recent years, raising the level of domestic competition. In that environment, consistency becomes as valuable as headline performances.
The 2026 season is still in its infancy, but the signs are quietly positive. A controlled indoor opener, competitive placement, and a clear target ahead suggest an athlete moving with purpose rather than urgency. For Madhvendra Shekhawat, the chase for 13.63 seconds has begun and his first steps indicate that the comeback is firmly underway.
