India’s multi-event star Tejaswin Shankar stamped his authority on Day 1 of the men’s decathlon at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea, by topping the leaderboard with 4205 points after the first five events.
The 25-year-old, who won a bronze medal in the previous edition in Bangkok, has made a strong statement with his all-round performance and is well on course to challenge for a higher podium finish this time.
A Measured Start in the 100m
The day began with the 100m sprint, the opening event of the decathlon. Known more for his prowess in the jumps, Tejaswin managed a solid start with a time of 11.20 seconds, placing third among the field and earning 817 points. While not his personal best (10.81s*), the timing was a composed beginning that set the tone for what would become an upward trajectory throughout the day.
Dominance in the Long Jump
The second event, the long jump, was where Tejaswin first made a decisive move. Leaping 7.28 meters, he secured the top spot and earned 881 points. Although the mark was short of his personal best of 7.63* meters, it was the best on the day in Gumi, reflecting his ability to perform under pressure and adjust to competition dynamics. It was also a crucial morale booster as he overtook rivals in the standings.
Shot Put: Holding Ground
In the shot put, Tejaswin threw a strong 13.79 meters—his second-best career mark—securing second place in the event. The effort brought him 715 valuable points.
This consistency in the throws—one of the traditionally less glamorous components of the decathlon—was key in maintaining momentum.
High Jump: A Familiar Fortress
The high jump, unsurprisingly, was the crown jewel of his Day 1 campaign. Clearing 2.19 meters, Tejaswin not only topped the event but also picked up a mammoth 982 points—the highest he scored in any of the five events. A national record holder in the high jump with a best of 2.29 meters, this event is where Tejaswin is in his element. He jumped with confidence and control, easily outclassing the rest of the field.
400m Finish: Grit Over Speed
The 400m, the fifth and final event of Day 1, saw Tejaswin clock 50.10 seconds—good enough for second place and another 810 points. While not near his personal best of 48.41 seconds, the run was enough to consolidate his position atop the overall leaderboard. Ending the day strong in a draining sprint was a testament to his improved endurance and race strategy.
Comparisons With His Own PB
Tejaswin’s Day 1 total of 4205 is an improvement over his performance at the 2023 Asian Championships in Bangkok, where he had 4140 points after five events and went on to win bronze. His national record in the decathlon stands at 7666 points, and he is tracking slightly ahead of that pace this time around.
Overall Standings and Comparisons
With five events completed, Tejaswin leads the decathlon standings with 4205 points. To put this in perspective, he is tracking ahead of the pace he set when he scored his personal best and national record of 7666 points last year.
After five of the ten decathlon events, Tejaswin leads the pack with 4205 points. His closest competitor, Yuma Maruyama of Japan, is second with 4065 points, followed by China’s Fei Xiang at 3875 points. Tejaswin’s lead of 140 points over Maruyama puts him in a strong position heading into Day 2, but the margin leaves no room for complacency.
The field includes seasoned campaigners like Japan’s Keisuke Okuda (3722) and Korea’s Junyoung Park (3685), but neither could match Tejaswin’s balance across events.
His Day 1 total in Bangkok en route to that bronze was 4140—meaning he has already improved by over 60 points at the halfway stage in Gumi.
This upward shift is significant. Not only does it reflect better execution across the board, but it also points to a more seasoned, calculated athlete who is learning how to manage energy across two gruelling days of competition.
The Road Ahead – Day 2 Preview
Day 2 will see the remaining five events of the decathlon: 110m hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, and the 1500m. Tejaswin’s personal bests across these events are promising:
- 110mH – 14.63
- DT – 39.28m
- Pole Vault – 4.10
- Javelin – 54.85
- 1500m – 4:35.96 mins
If he can get close to these marks—particularly in the hurdles and javelin—he will not only remain in medal contention but could push the 7700-point mark, which would surpass his current national record.
Tejaswin Shankar’s evolution from a national high jump champion to a well-rounded decathlete has been one of Indian athletics’ most fascinating stories over the past two years. His bronze in 2023 was seen as a breakthrough moment, but the hunger for more has been evident in his transition to full-time multi-event training.
Leading the decathlon at the halfway point is a reflection of his technical gains, mental resilience, and tactical maturity. The real test now lies in maintaining that lead through Day 2—where fatigue, conditions, and technique all come under pressure.
But with the way he’s started, Tejaswin isn’t just competing. He’s setting the pace.
Can he hold on and convert the Day 1 lead into gold? India will be watching.
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