Indian star decathlete Tejaswin Shankar delivered a milestone performance at the prestigious Wiesław Czapiewski Memorial in Bydgoszcz, Poland, setting a new National Record in the men’s decathlon with a stunning total of 7826 points.
Competing at this World Athletics Combined Events Tour Gold level meet, Tejaswin finished fourth overall in a competitive international field, but the real highlight was his personal achievement: breaking his own previous national record of 7666 points, set during the Hangzhou Asian Games, by an impressive margin of 160 points.
Across two grueling days and ten challenging disciplines, Shankar showcased a rare blend of consistency, composure, and determination. His campaign was marked by three personal bests in the 100m sprint (11.02 seconds), the 1500m run (4:31.80 minutes), and equaling his pole vault PB of 4.10m as well as three strong season-best performances in the long jump (7.57m), discus throw (38.28m), and the 400m dash (48.87 seconds). His signature event, the high jump, again proved decisive; he cleared 2.18m, earning a remarkable 973 points, the single biggest points haul of his decathlon series.
Tejaswin’s final tally of 7826 points places him tantalizingly close to the elite 8000-point club a landmark no Indian athlete has yet achieved in decathlon. His record-breaking effort underlines not just his status as the national record holder, but as one of Asia’s finest all-around athletes. More importantly, it reflects his steady growth over the years from a high jump specialist into a truly world-class multi-event competitor.
A Season of Consistency and Rising Standards
Tejaswin Shankar’s breakthrough in Poland is the culmination of a standout season, where he has demonstrated both resilience and improvement across events. Earlier in 2025, TJ claimed gold at the Federation Cup, registering 7603 points and breaking a 19-year-old meet record in the process. He followed it up with a silver medal at the Asian Championships, where he scored 7618 points just shy of his previous national mark. These consistent performances confirmed his position as the Asian leader in decathlon for the 2025 season.
At the Wiesław Czapiewski Memorial, TJ’s journey through the ten events highlighted both his technical skill and mental strength. He opened with a blistering 100m run in 11.02 seconds, a personal best that earned him 856 points and set the tone for the competition. In the long jump, he soared to a season-best of 7.57m, securing 952 points and staying near the top of the field. While his shot put effort of 12.62m was slightly below his best, it kept him well in contention.
As always, the high jump proved decisive: Tejaswin cleared 2.18m, showcasing his unique ability honed as a former Asian Games bronze medallist in the discipline. The effort delivered a massive points boost and underlined why the high jump remains his strongest asset in the decathlon.
Closing Day 1, he clocked another season-best in the 400m 48.87 seconds adding 867 points to his tally and finishing the day with a formidable total of 4292 points. At this stage, Shankar led the pack by 155 points, showing how his strengths in jumps and sprints have become the backbone of his decathlon.
Pushing the Limits and Eyeing 8000
On the second day, Tejaswin began with a solid 110m hurdles run in 14.63 seconds, worth 895 points, keeping him firmly in podium contention. In the discus throw, his season-best of 38.28m added 630 points, followed by an equal personal best of 4.10m in the pole vault (645 points). A throw of 52.89m in javelin brought in 631 points, and finally, he capped the competition with a heroic 4:31.80 in the 1500m, another PB worth 733 points.
Altogether, this carefully balanced series added up to the new national record of 7826 points. Beyond the raw numbers, Tejaswin’s series reveals how he has evolved into a more complete decathlete. His improvements in the 100m sprint and 1500m events that demand speed endurance and tactical discipline have helped raise his overall score. Meanwhile, consistency in technical events like pole vault and discus, alongside his always-strong high jump, shows how his training has matured.
Tejaswin’s progression is not just significant in the context of Indian athletics, but also on the continental stage. In 2025, his performances make him the Asian leader in decathlon, ahead of traditional regional powerhouses like China, Japan, and Kazakhstan. This leadership comes at a crucial time: with the 2025 World Athletics Championships and the 2026 Asian Games on the horizon, TJ’s form and confidence could propel Indian decathlon into global conversations.
More Than Medals: A Landmark for Indian Athletics
While Tejaswin finished fourth overall in Poland, the bigger victory lies in what this national record represents. For decades, Indian decathlon has remained in the shadows, with few athletes able to break into continental finals or challenge for medals. Shankar’s journey from a high jump specialist to a multi-event star – symbolizes a shift in mindset: that Indian athletes can excel even in the sport’s most demanding test.
Equally significant is his ability to keep raising his standard each year. From scoring 7527 points in Gotzis in 2022, to 7666 at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023, and now to 7826 in 2025, Tejaswin’s rise is built on gradual, well-planned improvements. It speaks to his dedication, disciplined training, and vision of what is possible.
As the season continues, all eyes will be on whether Tejaswin can cross the magical 8000-point barrier a feat that would redefine the history of Indian athletics. But even before that, his current achievements already place him among Asia’s best and make him an inspiration for the next generation of Indian athletes dreaming of excelling in multi-events.
In summary: Tejaswin Shankar’s new national record of 7826 points at the Wiesław Czapiewski Memorial is more than a statistic; it is a statement of intent from India’s most complete all-around athlete. A mark that brings Indian decathlon closer than ever to the global elite, and a moment to celebrate not just for Tejaswin, but for Indian sport as a whole.
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