Tejaswin Shankar delivered one of the finest all-round performances of his career to clinch India’s first gold medal at the 2026 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, storming to victory in the men’s heptathlon with a national record-breaking tally of 5993 points.
Competing across two demanding days, Tejaswin not only secured the continental crown but also rewrote his own national record of 5650 points, underlining his stature as India’s premier combined events athlete. The performance marked a significant milestone in his career and provided Indian athletics with a boost at the championships.
The heptathlon, comprising seven events 60m, long jump, shot put, high jump, 60m hurdles, pole vault and 1000m demands technical versatility, speed, strength and endurance. Tejaswin showcased all of it, producing a series of personal and season-best performances to stay in control of the standings.
He began his campaign with a lifetime best of 7.11 seconds in the 60m, earning 844 points. Though he finished fifth in the sprint, the timing set the tone for what would be a highly consistent series across disciplines. He quickly shifted gears in the long jump, soaring to 7.53m an indoor personal best to claim 942 points and move into contention.
In the shot put, often a pivotal event in indoor combined competitions, Tejaswin registered 13.63m, a season best effort that added 706 valuable points to his tally. The throw kept him firmly in the hunt heading into the high jump traditionally his strongest event.
The high jump proved decisive. Clearing 2.23m, the same height that had won the standalone gold medal in the event at these championships, Tejaswin topped the discipline and collected a massive 1021 points. The jump not only extended his overall lead but also demonstrated his ability to deliver under pressure in his signature event.
By the end of Day 1, Tejaswin had accumulated 3513 points and established himself as the man to beat.
Day 2 began with the 60m hurdles, where he clocked 8.02 seconds another personal best to secure 977 points. The clean, technically sharp run ensured he maintained momentum in the overall standings. In the pole vault, an event that can often disrupt heptathletes’ campaigns, Tejaswin cleared 4.20m for 673 points. While not among his highest-scoring disciplines, it was a steady performance that prevented any major dent to his medal prospects.
Heading into the final event the grueling 1000m the equation was clear. A composed run would not only secure gold but potentially push him beyond his previous national record. Tejaswin responded with determination, finishing in 2:43.91 to add 830 points to his tally.
When the final scores were compiled, the Indian star stood atop the leaderboard with 5993 points a remarkable improvement of 343 points over his previous national record. China’s Hua Zihui finished second with 5749 points, while Japan’s Maruyama Yuma took bronze with 5637. The gap underlined the authority of Tejaswin’s triumph. The performance was not built on a single standout moment but on sustained excellence across events.
He recorded personal or season-best marks in multiple disciplines and avoided the kind of technical errors that often derail combined events athletes. His ability to maintain composure across two days of high-intensity competition reflected his growing maturity on the international stage.
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For Indian athletics, the gold carries added significance. Tejaswin has consistently been among the country’s most versatile athletes holding national records in the decathlon, indoor heptathlon and high jump and his latest achievement reinforces India’s competitiveness in combined events at the continental level.
With major global competitions on the horizon, including the World Championships cycle and multi-sport events, this performance signals that Tejaswin is entering a phase of peak consistency. Breaking his own national record indoors suggests there may be even more to come when he transitions to outdoor competition later in the season.
At a championships where margins are often razor-thin, Tejaswin Shankar produced a commanding display that left little room for doubt. India’s first gold at the 2026 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships came through grit, precision and relentless execution across seven events.
In doing so, Tejaswin did more than win a medal he set a new benchmark for Indian combined events athletics.
