Indian athletics created history at the Commonwealth Games 2026 as Yashas Palaksha and T. Santhosh both qualified for the men’s 400m hurdles final, marking the first time that two Indian athletes have reached the event final at the Commonwealth Games.
Both hurdlers produced composed performances in the semifinals to secure their places in the medal race. T. Santhosh clocked 49.51s, while Yashas Palaksha followed closely with 49.65s, ensuring India will have two representatives in one of the Games’ most competitive track events.
Although neither athlete matched the personal bests they set in their previous competition, both did enough to progress comfortably to the championship final. Yashas enters the final with a lifetime best of 49.00s, the second-fastest performance in Indian history, while Santhosh owns a personal best of 49.06s, making him India’s third-fastest 400m hurdler of all time.
The qualification of both athletes reflects the rapid rise of Indian men’s 400m hurdles in recent years. Their breakthrough performances this season have elevated them into the country’s all-time rankings, and they have now translated that form onto one of the biggest stages in international athletics.
The achievement is particularly significant as this is the first time in Commonwealth Games history that India will have two athletes competing in the men’s 400m hurdles final. It highlights the growing depth in the event and underlines the progress made by Indian quarter-milers and hurdlers on the international circuit.
With their places in the final secured, both Yashas and Santhosh will now shift their focus to the medal race. Armed with lifetime bests below 49.10 seconds and the confidence of reaching a historic final together, the Indian duo will be aiming to produce their best performances when they return to the track.
The historic qualification adds another memorable chapter to India’s athletics campaign in Glasgow and provides fresh optimism ahead of the men’s 400m hurdles final.