Two-time Commonwealth Games medallist Tejaswin Shankar on Monday extended his gratitude to star wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who had sent him a motivational message after he had to pull out of the high jump
competition at the recent CWG due to a knee injury.
Tejaswin amassed a total of 7,976 points in the gruelling two-day decathlon event. He achieved the feat despite battling chronic patellar tendinitis, known as jumper’s knee, which had forced him to withdraw from the men’s high jump competition earlier in the Glasgow Games.
A devastated Tejaswin broke down in tears after being forced to withdraw from the high jump event after his opening attempt because of a flare-up of his long-standing injury.
“Teju, you still can do it. Stay focused on what is ahead. My coach always said, as professional athletes, we must always be prepared for the best and at the same time, be ready for the worst,” Vinesh had tweeted then.
“Thank you, Vinesh ji for your motivating words. I remember my first CWG in 2018 as a teenager when you made me feel comfortable and told me that I belonged there,” Tejaswin tweeted on Monday evening.
Thankyou Vinesh ji for your motivating words. I remember my first CWG in 2018 as a teenager when you made me feel comfortable and told me that I belonged there. 8 years later you are still a role model 😊🫶🏽🤜🏼🤛🏽 https://t.co/BXF8HfoIqP
— Tejaswin Shankar (TJ) (@TejaswinShankar) August 3, 2026
It was Tejaswin’s second CWG medal, after his high jump bronze at the 2022 Birmingham edition. His national record in the decathlon stands at 8,057 points.
Meanwhile, Vinesh said on Monday that the women wrestlers who had accused former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment will appeal against the Delhi court’s decision acquitting him.
A Delhi court on Monday acquitted Brij Bhushan and co-accused Vinod Tomar in the sexual harassment case filed by the women wrestlers.
