India’s national record holder Tejas Shirse finished eighth in the men’s 110m hurdles final at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, clocking 15.39 seconds in a race that ended on a worrying note for the Indian hurdler.

Shirse appeared to be in visible discomfort after clearing the final hurdle and crossing the finish line. The exact nature of the issue was not immediately known, though the incident raised concerns after what had been an encouraging comeback season for the 22-year-old. The Indian athletics fraternity will be hoping the injury is not serious.

The Maharashtra hurdler had qualified for the final earlier in the day by finishing third in his heat with a time of 13.76 seconds, earning an automatic qualification berth.

His appearance in the Commonwealth Games final capped a remarkable return after a lengthy injury layoff. Earlier this season, Shirse announced his comeback in style by clocking 13.27 seconds, breaking the long-standing Indian national record in the men’s 110m hurdles and securing qualification for Glasgow.

That performance established him as India’s fastest-ever sprint hurdler and marked one of the standout moments of the domestic athletics season.

Although the Commonwealth Games final did not unfold as he would have hoped, merely returning from a prolonged injury absence to reach a major championship final represents a significant milestone in his journey.

With age on his side and the national record already in his possession, Shirse remains one of the brightest prospects in Indian athletics. Attention will now turn to his recovery, with hopes that the setback in Glasgow proves to be only a temporary interruption to an otherwise promising season.

India’s Murali Sreeshankar continued his remarkable consistency in 2026 by qualifying for the men’s long jump final at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, comfortably clearing the automatic qualification mark with his very first jump.

The defending Commonwealth Games silver medallist needed just one attempt, soaring to 8.01m in still conditions (0.0 m/s wind) to breach the 8.00m automatic qualification standard and secure his place in the medal round.

The effort saw Sreeshankar finish third overall in the qualification standings, reinforcing his status as one of the leading contenders for a podium finish.

The qualification performance is the latest in what has been an outstanding season for the Indian long jumper. Sreeshankar has crossed the eight-metre barrier in every competition he has contested this year, underlining both his consistency and world-class form.

His performances in 2026 include:

The highlight of his campaign remains the 8.38m leap at the National Inter-State Championships, one of the finest performances by an Indian long jumper and a statement ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

Having won silver at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Sreeshankar arrived in Glasgow as one of India’s strongest medal hopes in athletics. His composed qualification performance, achieved with minimal effort, suggests he has timed his preparations well for the final.

With qualification secured at the first opportunity, the focus now shifts to the medal round, where Sreeshankar will look to build on his exceptional season and improve upon the silver medal he claimed four years ago.

For more visit Commonwealth Games 2026

Indian athletics is officially entering its main character era. For the first time in history, two Indian athletes are pulling up to represent the country in the men’s pole vault at the Commonwealth Games. Dev Meena from Madhya Pradesh and Kuldeep Yadav from Uttar Pradesh have both secured their spots for CWG 2026, and honestly? They’re about to rewrite the history books.

What makes this lore even crazier is that they’re basically training twins. Both vaulters train under the same mastermind coach, Ghanshyam Yadav, at the state-sponsored DSWY academy at TT Nagar, Bhopal.

But let’s be real—their road to qualification was a whole survival arc. Until last year, India’s national record in men’s pole vault was capped at a modest 5.31m. Enter 20-year-old Dev Meena, who absolutely understood the assignment at the National Games 2025 by clearing 5.32m. He didn’t just break the record and call it a day, though. Dev went on an absolute rampage, breaking the national record five times in a row before flexing a 5.46m clearance—which is currently the top-tier flex for Indian athletics.

Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav’s arc was all about the ultimate comeback. He’d been fighting a long battle with injuries before linking up with Ghanshyam’s squad last year. The glow-up? Insane. Kuldeep came into 2026 with a former personal best of 5.15m, instantly upgraded to 5.25m, and then casually smashed the national record with a 5.41m vault. Not stopping there, he pushed it to 5.45m, easily surpassing the CWG qualification bar.

Unpacking the dynamic of his star pupils, Ghanshyam Yadav said, “They are both very good athletes, very hardworking, good training partners during practice, and great competitors against each other in competition.”

When asked how he keeps the peace between two elite athletes constantly trying to out-flex each other, Ghanshyam dropped his secret recipe with a smile: “I give them individual targets. I speak to both of them separately before competitions and tell each of them, ‘Today is your day. You have to break the national record.’ Neither athlete knows that I’ve given the same target to the other. If they ever find out, it might become a problem for me,” he said with a laugh.

Fun fact: Coach Ghanshyam is a former pole vaulter himself, so he knows the vibes inside out.

The duo will be jumping into action on July 30 for the men’s pole vault qualification round in Glasgow. If they clear the hype, they’ll be vaulting for actual CWG medals on August 1.

Dev and Kuldeep are bringing fresh personal bests of 5.46m and 5.45m to the table, but Glasgow is going to be a total boss fight. Looking at this season’s global stats, the Indian duo currently ranks fourth and fifth among qualified CWG athletes. Australia’s Kurtis Marschall is leading the pack with a massive 6.00m flex, followed by Great Britain’s Owen Heard (5.71m) and South Africa’s Kyle Rademeyer (5.60m).

Addressing the heavy competition, Ghanshyam isn’t sweating it: “Yes, the field is tough, but you have to understand that we are here to make a way, not follow one. Competing against stronger athletes will only make both of them better. They are regular 5.50m athletes, and I have full confidence they will give their best. I believe they are medal contenders, without a doubt.”

However, one major plot hole in India’s CWG setup is that no dedicated pole vault specialist or support staff was included in the official contingent traveling for the event.

Reacting to the gatekeeping, Ghanshyam said, “Yes, they haven’t included anyone specifically for pole vault. It will be tough because pole vault is a completely different event.”

He added, “I showed them the performances of the athletes they will be competing against, including the vaulter from Australia who has cleared 6.00m this season.”

Talking about the lack of high-level domestic meets to lock in practice, Ghanshyam noted, “Yes, they are struggling because there isn’t enough competition at the national level. After the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, our sole focus will shift towards the 2028 Olympics. I know the qualification mark of 5.83m is tough, but it’s not impossible. I’m planning to send both athletes to more competitions outside India. If they regularly compete against athletes clearing 5.70m or 5.80m, it will give them more confidence and will certainly help improve their performances.”

For more visit Commonwealth Games 2026

 

India will once again field a formidable pair in the men’s triple jump at the Commonwealth Games 2026, with Praveen Chithravel and Selva Prabhu carrying the nation’s hopes in an event where Indian athletes have enjoyed considerable success in recent years.

Both jumpers arrive in Glasgow in outstanding form after producing career-best performances during the 2026 season. Praveen Chithravel has recorded a season-best of 17.08m, while Selva Prabhu has followed closely with 17.05m. These marks rank them third and fourth, respectively, among athletes selected for the Commonwealth Games, placing both firmly in medal contention.

The season rankings among selected Commonwealth athletes are headed by Jordan Scott of Jamaica, who has produced an impressive 17.69m. Praveen occupies the third spot with 17.08m, narrowly ahead of Selva’s 17.05m. Kenya’s Kevin Kemboi follows with 16.84m, while Kelsey Daniel of Trinidad and Tobago rounds out the leading contenders with 16.68m.

India has fond memories of the men’s triple jump at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where the country celebrated a historic gold and silver medal finish. Eldhose Paul claimed the title with a wind-assisted 17.03m, while Praveen Chithravel narrowly missed the podium after finishing fourth despite a spirited campaign.

Four years later, Praveen returns to the Commonwealth Games as a far more experienced athlete and one of the leading contenders for a medal. Alongside him, Selva Prabhu has enjoyed a breakthrough season that has elevated him into the top tier of Commonwealth jumpers, giving India two realistic podium prospects.

With the third and fourth-best season’s performances among the selected Commonwealth competitors, India heads to Glasgow with genuine optimism in the men’s triple jump. If Praveen and Selva reproduce their best form on the day, they have every opportunity to continue India’s proud tradition in the event and challenge for medals on the Commonwealth stage.

 

For more visit Commonwealth Games 2026

India will have two exciting young athletes in the men’s pole vault at the Commonwealth Games 2026, with Dev Kumar Meena and Kuldeep Kumar set to represent the country in an event that has witnessed remarkable progress for Indian athletics this season.

Both vaulters have enjoyed breakthrough campaigns in 2026, producing career-best performances that have elevated them among the leading Commonwealth competitors. Dev Kumar Meena enters the Games with a lifetime best of 5.46m, while Kuldeep Kumar has cleared 5.45m, placing them eighth and ninth, respectively, among athletes selected for the Commonwealth Games.

The season rankings among selected Commonwealth athletes are led by Australia’s Kurtis Marschall, who has produced a world-class clearance of 6.00m. Great Britain’s Owen Heard follows with 5.71m, while Kyle Rademeyer of South Africa occupies third with 5.60m. Dev and Kuldeep are the next two athletes on the list, highlighting India’s growing competitiveness in the discipline.

The rise of the Indian duo has been one of the standout stories of the domestic athletics season. Dev and Kuldeep have both achieved lifetime bests and consistently raised the standard of men’s pole vault in the country through a series of outstanding performances.

Their achievements extend beyond individual milestones. Together, Dev Kumar Meena and Kuldeep Kumar have broken the Indian men’s pole vault national record at least three times this season, reflecting the intense competition between the pair and the rapid development of the event in India. Their performances have helped redefine national standards and signalled a new era for Indian pole vaulting.

Although the Commonwealth field features established international competitors, Dev and Kuldeep have shown that they are capable of competing at a high level. Their consistent improvement throughout the season gives India genuine reason for optimism as they prepare for Glasgow.

With two in-form vaulters ranked among the Commonwealth’s leading selected athletes, India heads into the Games with growing confidence that Dev Kumar Meena and Kuldeep Kumar can continue their impressive rise on the international stage.

India’s national high jump record holder, Sarvesh Kushare, produced a memorable performance on his Diamond League debut, finishing third at the Monaco Diamond League 2026 with a best clearance of 2.26m.

Competing against some of the world’s finest high jumpers, Sarvesh delivered a flawless series through 2.12m, 2.16m, 2.20m, 2.23m, and 2.26m, clearing every height on his first attempt. At one stage of the competition, only Sarvesh and eventual champion Oleh Doroshchuk had maintained a perfect record through 2.26m.

Sarvesh then made three strong attempts at 2.28m but was unable to clear the height, bringing an end to an outstanding debut on the prestigious Diamond League circuit.

Ukraine’s Oleh Doroshchuk claimed the men’s high jump title with a clearance of 2.32m, while Great Britain’s Jack Kimani finished second with 2.30m. Sarvesh secured third place with 2.26m, marking one of the best international performances of his career.
Men’s High Jump Results – Monaco Diamond League 2026
1. Oleh Doroshchuk (Ukraine) – 2.32m
2. Jack Kimani (Great Britain) – 2.30m
3. Sarvesh Kushare (India) – 2.26m

Sarvesh entered the competition in outstanding form, having broken the Indian national high jump record with a clearance of 2.31m in his previous meet. He has already been selected to represent India at the 2026 Commonwealth Games and is also expected to feature at the 2026 Asian Games, with the athletics squad yet to be officially announced.

 

India’s Pooja will be one of the country’s brightest young medal hopes in the women’s high jump at the Commonwealth Games 2026, following a breakthrough season that has established her among the leading jumpers in the Commonwealth.

The 19-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable 2026 campaign, consistently raising the bar with a series of career-best performances. Her season-best clearance of 1.93m currently ranks seventh among Commonwealth athletes this year, placing her in contention in one of the strongest women’s high jump fields assembled for the Games.

Pooja’s rise has been one of the standout stories of Indian athletics this season. She registered two lifetime bests, broke the Indian U20 national record twice, and surpassed the senior national record mark with her clearance of 1.93m. The rapid progression has highlighted both her immense talent and her ability to perform under pressure against top-class competition.

The Commonwealth season rankings are headed by Australia’s Eleanor Patterson, who has cleared 2.00m, followed closely by compatriot Nicola Olyslagers at 1.99m. Nigeria’s Temitope Simbiat Adeshina occupies third with 1.97m, while Lamara Distin of Jamaica and Rose Yeboah of Ghana have both recorded 1.96m. Australia’s Izobelle Louison-Roe follows with 1.95m, before Pooja rounds out the top seven at 1.93m.

Although she will be competing against several world-class athletes, Pooja has shown throughout the season that she is capable of rising to the occasion. Her consistent improvement and fearless approach have made her one of India’s most exciting field-event prospects heading into Glasgow.

With a season-best that ranks among the Commonwealth’s elite and a breakthrough campaign already behind her, Pooja enters the Games with growing confidence. If she can reproduce her best form on the biggest stage, the young Indian high jumper has every opportunity to challenge for a place on the podium and continue her remarkable rise in international athletics.

 

India heads into the Commonwealth Games 2026 with strong medal aspirations in the men’s high jump, where Sarvesh Kushare and Aadarsh Ram will represent the country in a highly competitive field.

Leading India’s challenge is Sarvesh Kushare, who has enjoyed an outstanding 2026 season. His season-best clearance of 2.31m places him joint-first among all Commonwealth athletes this year, alongside Australia’s Kimani Jack. The mark underlines Sarvesh’s consistency and positions him as one of the leading contenders for the podium in Glasgow.

Joining him is Aadarsh Ram, who has also impressed this season with a best clearance of 2.27m. His performance ranks sixth among Commonwealth athletes, putting him firmly in the mix in what promises to be one of the closest high jump competitions of the Games.

The season rankings reflect the depth of talent expected in Glasgow. Australia’s Kimani Jack shares the top spot with Sarvesh at 2.31m, while Jamaica’s Romaine Beckford has cleared 2.30m. Olympic champion Hamish Kerr of New Zealand and Australia’s Yual Reath have both recorded 2.28m, with Aadarsh completing the top six at 2.27m.

Notably, all six athletes on the season list have been selected by their respective countries for the Commonwealth Games, ensuring that the event will feature every leading performer from the 2026 season.

For India, the combination of Sarvesh’s joint-leading mark and Aadarsh’s consistent performances provides genuine optimism. Sarvesh enters the competition as one of the favourites after matching the best clearance among Commonwealth athletes this season, while Aadarsh has shown that he possesses the ability to challenge the strongest field of his career.

With two athletes ranked among the Commonwealth’s top six and both arriving in Glasgow in excellent form, India has every reason to believe it can contend for medals in the men’s high jump at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

For more visit Commonwealth Games 2026

 

Asian champion Pooja continued her impressive run of form by winning the women’s high jump title at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships 2026, clearing 1.83m to secure the gold medal and achieve the Asian Games qualification standard.

Competing against the country’s top high jumpers, Pooja produced a composed and confident performance throughout the competition. Her successful clearance at 1.83m proved enough to clinch the Interstate title while also booking her place for the upcoming Asian Games.

Having secured victory and the qualification mark, Pooja raised the bar to 1.90m in pursuit of an even bigger achievement. The talented youngster made three determined attempts at the height but was unable to clear it on this occasion. Despite falling short of 1.90m, her performance at 1.83m stood out as another significant milestone in an already outstanding season.

The victory further strengthens Pooja’s growing reputation as one of India’s brightest young field-event athletes. Already an Asian champion, she has consistently demonstrated the ability to perform on major stages, and her latest success at the country’s premier domestic championships reinforces her status among the nation’s elite high jumpers.

The Interstate Championships have once again provided athletes with an opportunity to secure qualification standards ahead of major international events, and Pooja made the most of the occasion with a championship-winning display. Her consistency, technical execution, and composure under pressure were evident throughout the competition.

With the Asian Games qualification now secured, Pooja is set for an exciting international season. She is scheduled to represent India at the World U20 Championships, the Commonwealth Games 2026, and the Asian Games 2026, making this one of the busiest and most significant years of her young career.

Winning the Interstate title while qualifying for the Asian Games is another major achievement for Pooja, and her continued progress suggests she will be one of India’s key athletes to watch on the international stage in the months ahead.

 

Eighteen-year-old Shahnavaz continued his remarkable rise in Indian athletics with a sensational performance at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships 2026, producing a lifetime-best jump of 8.30m to shatter the Indian U20 national record and secure qualification for the upcoming Asian Games.

Competing against some of the country’s finest long jumpers, the youngster delivered the performance of his career when it mattered most. His impressive leap not only earned him the Asian Games qualification standard but also established a new benchmark in Indian U20 athletics.

The 8.30m effort stands as India’s all-time best performance in the U20 category, underlining the extraordinary nature of his achievement. On the continental stage, the mark ranks as the second-best U20 performance in Asian history, while globally it is the seventh-best U20 mark of all time. These statistics place Shahnavaz among the most promising young long jumpers in the world.

The record-breaking jump also represented a new lifetime best, further highlighting the rapid progress the 18-year-old has made over the course of the season. Shahnavaz has been in exceptional form throughout the year, consistently improving his performances and registering multiple personal bests across competitions.

His latest achievement at the Interstate Championships confirms his emergence as one of India’s brightest young athletics prospects. Delivering such a high-quality performance on one of the country’s biggest domestic stages reflects both his talent and his ability to compete under pressure.

The Interstate Championships have produced several memorable performances this season, but Shahnavaz’s record-breaking leap stands among the most significant. By rewriting the Indian U20 record and comfortably surpassing the Asian Games qualification standard, he has announced himself as a serious contender for future international success.

With youth on his side and confidence soaring after this historic performance, Shahnavaz has taken a major step forward in his career. His outstanding 8.30m jump is not only a milestone for Indian athletics but also a glimpse of an exciting future for one of the nation’s most promising young stars.