Indian hurdler Tejas Shirse delivered a phenomenal performance at the Indian Athletics Series 9 on Saturday, achieving a landmark by finishing the 110m hurdles in a record 13.27 seconds. In doing so, the obstacle runner not only set a new national record but also secured a berth in the 2026 Commonwealth Games team.
The 24-year-old broke his own national record of 13.41 seconds set in 2024. He surpassed the Athletics Federation of India's Commonwealth Games qualification mark of 13.39 seconds.
This new record marks significant progress in Shirse's performance since his gold medal-winning sprint of 13.50 seconds at the Federation Cup in Ranchi last month, placing him among Asia's top performers in the ongoing campaign. His 13.27-second record holds the sixth spot in the continental chart for 2026.
Shirse's achievement holds immense significance for Indian athletics. With his selection, he could become the nation's first male hurdler to participate in the Commonwealth Games since Siddharth Thingalaya's appearance in 2014.
However, national record holder Mohammad Afsal P had a disappointing run in the men's 800m, finishing at 1:47.00. He fell short of the 1:45.00 qualification mark, a setback that could potentially dent his Commonwealth Games aspirations.
Attention later turned to the men's javelin throw, where several athletes were competing to reach the selection benchmark. Star contender Sachin Yadav, known for his appearance in the World Championship finals, was ruled out due to an elbow injury, while star thrower Neeraj Chopra continues his rehabilitation. Rohit Yadav, Shivam Lohakare, and Kishore Kumar Jena remained key contenders for a spot in the national squad.
