Indian high jumper Tejaswin Shankar created history by winning the bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. He fought through several off the field obstacles to win his first global medal for India. It was also India’s first ever medal in high jump.
However, after the sensational win, Tejaswin shared his desire to perform in decathlon at the postponed Asian Games during his media interaction. He shared how different other events like long jump, hurdles have helped him in his high jump training and therefore he wants to switch to decathlon as he believes he has a good shot at it at the Asia level.
“I have made up my mind. That’s a certainty. I want to compete in the Decathlon at the Asian Games. Going forward even if I don’t compete I want to continue training in decathlon because that’s really worked for me,” the 23-year-old said to the journalist after winning the bronze medal.
The young high jumper who has been studying at the Kansas City University and was also their Athlete of the Year believes that he can get better at other events aswell and has the confidence to perform big at the Asian level.
“I have been able to supplement my high jump training through a lot of long jump and hurdles and every time I am competing in high jump, I have been able to make the most of it. I feel the improvised decathlon training has helped me with high jump and if in due course I am able to improve in other events, I feel I will have a good shot at Asian level,” he added.
The youngster who has bagged a full time job at Deloitte will be back to the United States as his job starts from September. He will still continue training but he wants to participate in Decathlon at the Asian Games. He also shared that he will keep on playing tournaments and continue his off season training.
This win is very big for Indian athletics but more for the undying spirit of Tejaswin Shankar who went through a lot in the last few months and somehow he reached Birmingham a few days before his event and from there he made it to the podium, proving that nothing in this world can beat talent. Firstly he was not included in the list of athletes selected for the Commonwealth Games, later after a lot of hassle he was finally given the green signal. But he was still in a spot of bother as his visa was stuck. Still he managed to make it to Birmingham. However the youngster revealed that the welcome he has got from the other athletes at the village made him forget about all the trouble he has had to reach here.
“I did not matter how I reached Birmingham. What mattered is I was here and once I reached here in Games village I was welcomed with open arms which was the best thing,” he concluded.
