Indian Athletes Op Up on Injury, Self-Doubt and the Fight That Led to a Historic Medal
Tejaswin Shankar has revealed the emotional story of getting a bronze medal in the decathlon at the Commonwealth Games 2026. The 27-year-old said in a statement he was nearly quitting the competition after he suffered a knee injury and wondered if all that hard work had gone for nothing.
Despite this setback, Tejaswin fought back and became the first Indian athlete to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the decathlon, so making history for Indian athletics.
The knee injury almost ended his campaign.
Tejaswin’s Commonwealth Games journey almost came to an end before it even began.
He injured his knee during the warm-up for the men's high jump. The official event list even marked him as DNS (Did Not Start) after he initially withdrew from the competition.
He returned to try it later but was unable to continue after failing his first jump. That was the end of his chances in the decathlon.
"I Gave Up for a While," Says Tejaswin
After the Games, Tejaswin posted an emotional message on social media.
And he said a few days after the injury he lost confidence and started to question everything.
"I gave up for a while. I questioned everything. I wondered if all the preparation had been for nothing."
He had the toughest time of his sporting career, physically, emotionally.
Support helped him make a comeback.
Tejaswin said Dr. Wayne Lombard and the strength and conditioning team helped him recover in time for the decathlon.
He was emotionally broken but he was not going to quit.
He said he gradually gained confidence with treatment sessions, every event and each lap which he had to keep moving forward.
Historic Bronze for India
Tejaswin’s determination paid off.
He had a good Day 1 performance, especially in his favourite high jump event and that put him to second place.
He stayed in medal contention until the final day and finally won the bronze medal, becoming the first Indian ever to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the decathlon.
The accomplishment is one of the biggest points in Indian athletics.
A Medal That He Gave to Everyone Who Supported Him.
Looking back, Tejaswin said he could not have achieved this success alone.
He thanked his coaches, medical team, teammates, family, friends, sponsors and fans for standing by him when he found it difficult to believe in himself.
They, he said, gave him the strength to fight on.
A Lesson Beyond Winning
Tejaswin thinks that experience taught him that success in sports is not so much talent as strength.
And sometimes the greatest victory is not to give up, he said.
He had dreamed of winning a different colour medal, he believes the bronze medal taught him lessons that an easy victory never did.
Tejaswin Shankar’s bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026 is much more than a sporting achievement. It is a story of courage, resilience and determination.
He had to overcome injury and self-doubt and made history as India’s first Commonwealth Games decathlon medallist. His journey underlined to me that even when everything seems lost, believing in yourself and never giving up can lead to lasting success in life.