India’s decathlon journey at the Asian Athletics Championships has often been a tale of sporadic brilliance — moments that flickered over decades, but never quite sustained, but then there is Tejaswin Shankar.
Thanks to Tejaswin Shankar, who has etched his name in history as the only Indian to win two medals in the decathlon at the continental stage.
At the 26th Asian Athletics Championships 2025 in Gumi, South Korea, Tejaswin clinched silver with 7618 points, improving on his bronze from 2023. His performance wasn’t just an upgrade in medal colour — it was a display of consistency, grit, and athletic versatility across two grueling days and ten demanding events.
He finished just 16 points behind China’s Fei Xiang, who bagged gold with 7634 points, while Japan’s Keisuke Okuda took bronze with 7602.
This silver medal isn’t just personal glory for Tejaswin; it marks a significant chapter in India’s athletics history — a resurgence in a discipline that has seen only intermittent podium finishes over the past five decades.
A Look Back: India’s Decathlon Medalists at the Asian Championships
India’s love affair with the decathlon began in the early years of the Asian Championships:
- 1973 (Manila) – Vijay Singh Chauhan struck gold with 7245 points, opening India’s account in the event.
- 1975 (Seoul) – Suresh Babu followed up with another gold, scoring 6931 points.
- 1981 (Tokyo) – Sabir Ali maintained India’s golden streak with 7253 points, continuing a brief but golden era for Indian decathletes.
- 2011 (Kobe) – After a long gap, Bharatinder Singh ended the medal drought with a bronze, scoring 7358 points.
- 2023 (Bangkok) – Tejaswin Shankar entered the scene, bagging bronze with 7527 points, marking the highest Indian score in the event till then.
In 2025, he raised the bar yet again.
Tejaswin’s 2025 Performance: Ten Events, One Medal, Countless Memories
Tejaswin’s score of 7618 points is now the highest-ever by an Indian at the Asian Championships — a testament to his evolution as a complete decathlete. His event-wise performance was a masterclass in balancing strengths and managing weaknesses:
- 100m – 11.20s (3rd) – 817 pts
- Long Jump – 7.28m (1st) – 881 pts
- Shot Put – 13.79m (2nd) – 715 pts
- High Jump – 2.19m (1st) – 982 pts
- 400m – 50.10s (2nd) – 810 pts
- 110m Hurdles – 14.58s (3rd) – 901 pts
- Discus Throw – 37.74m (5th) – 619 pts
- Pole Vault – 3.90m (9th) – 590 pts
- Javelin Throw – 51.46m (5th) – 610 pts
- 1500m – 4:37.99 (3rd) – 693 pts
His High Jump (2.19m) and 110m Hurdles (14.58s) were standout events, fetching a combined 1883 points. Though he fell behind slightly in Pole Vault and Discus, his overall balance across track and field events kept him firmly in the medal hunt.
The Historic Significance of Tejaswin’s Medal
Tejaswin is now the first Indian to win multiple decathlon medals at the Asian Championships. With scores of 7527 in 2023 (bronze) and 7618 in 2025 (silver), he’s showing a steady upward trajectory — both in points and podium finishes.
His achievement becomes even more important when viewed in the broader context of Indian athletics. Unlike the sprints or jumps, the decathlon doesn’t often feature in India’s medal tallies. Tejaswin’s back-to-back medals signal that Indian athletes are now ready to challenge the best in multi-discipline events as well.
Tejaswin Shankar was once known primarily as a high jumper — he even held the national record in that discipline. But his switch to the decathlon has been nothing short of transformational. It’s not just a change of event; it’s a reinvention of identity.
In just a couple of years, he’s transitioned from a specialist to an all-rounder — mastering throws, runs, vaults, and jumps. His work ethic and ability to improve in technical events like javelin and pole vault have stood out. What once looked like a risky switch is now being celebrated as a masterstroke.
With the 2025 Asian Championships silver in the bag and Paris 2024 behind us, Tejaswin’s eyes will likely be set on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. He still has some ground to cover to match the Olympic qualifying marks, but if his trajectory is anything to go by, the next three years could be defining.
India hasn’t had a decathlete at the Olympics since 1964. That long wait could soon end.
Tejaswin Shankar’s 2025 silver medal in Gumi is more than just a personal milestone — it’s a beacon for Indian multi-event athletes. From bronze in 2023 to silver in 2025, his progression reflects his hunger to excel, his belief in himself, and the growing ecosystem that supports elite athletes in India.
A decade ago, India’s decathlon success felt like a relic of the past. Today, it feels like the future.
