Tianjin, China – Tejaswin Shankar has clinched India's first heptathlon medal in 16 years at the 2026 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships. The 27-year-old athlete stormed to victory with a national record-breaking score of 5993 points. This outstanding performance not only secured India's only gold medal at the championships but also marked one of the finest all-round displays of Shankar's career.
Shankar's dominance was evident from the start of the competition. On the first day, he established a strong lead, accumulating 3513 points after four events. He began the day impressively, achieving a personal best of 7.11 seconds in the 60m dash, which earned him 844 points.
This victory represents a significant milestone for India in the heptathlon event. The last time India secured a medal in heptathlon was in 2010 at the Asian Games, while the last medal in Asian Indoor Athletics Championships was in 2008. Shankar's gold is a testament to his dedication and versatility as an athlete.
Tejaswin Shankar, born on December 21, 1998, has a diverse background in track and field. Initially known for high jump, he won India's first-ever high jump medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2022. He later transitioned to decathlon, showcasing his talent across multiple disciplines. Shankar has a silver medal from the 2022 Asian Games and a silver and a bronze medal from the Asian Championships in 2025 and 2023 respectively. He also won gold at the World Athletics indoor tour challenger, the high jump gala at Elmos 2024 in Belgium.
Shankar's journey to success includes NCAA Division I High Jump Champion in 2018 and 2022, making him one of the most accomplished Indian athletes in collegiate athletics. His personal bests include a decathlon score of 7826 (NR in 2025) and a high jump of 2.29m (NR in 2018).
The heptathlon includes 60 meters, long jump, shot put, high jump, 60 meters hurdles, pole vault, and 1,000 meters. Tejaswin Shankar's gold medal at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships is a moment of pride for India and a testament to his evolution as a track and field athlete.