Tejaswin Shankar Embarks on Triple Role Journey for Olympic Ambition
Indian decathlete Tejaswin Shankar is currently managing a demanding three-part life. He acts as an athlete, a teaching assistant, and a student all at once. His ultimate goal is clear. He wants to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This national record holder is not just training hard. He is also pursuing a Master's degree in kinesiology and exercise science at Kansas State University in the United States.
A Quest for Knowledge and Qualification
After winning a silver medal at the Asian Championships last year, Shankar felt a need to deepen his expertise. He runs a popular YouTube channel where he shares training advice. However, he started questioning his own authority. "I realized it's easy to give gyan on YouTube, but what is the guarantee that whatever I’m saying is correct?" Shankar explained from Manhattan, Kansas. He decided to gain proper academic backing before imparting more knowledge.
His educational pursuit is fully funded by the university's kinesiology department. In return, he serves as a graduate teaching assistant. He will instruct classes in biomechanics and introduction to kinesiology. This role adds significant preparation work to his already packed schedule.
Training in a High-Caliber Environment
Shankar's training setup in the US provides a major advantage. He works with a group of decathletes coached by Kip Janvrin, a former Pan American Games gold medallist. This environment is crucial for his Olympic dream. "I have a consistent training environment. For two years, I’m in the country where the next Olympics is going to take place. I can give myself the best shot," Shankar stated.
He holds the Indian national record in decathlon with 7,826 points. His primary athletic target is to become the first Indian to cross the 8,000-point mark. Training alongside athletes scoring around 7,800-7,900 points pushes him daily. He specifically highlighted pole vault, a weaker event for him, as an area where this group excels.
Managing a Hectic Triple Schedule
Shankar's weekly routine is intensely demanding.
- Six days are dedicated to rigorous training.
- He attends two university classes as a student.
- He teaches three classes as a teaching assistant.
"It’s probably more hectic because earlier I was just studying, but now I am studying and teaching others," he admitted. The academic shift from his background in accountancy and finance requires extra effort. He receives lecture materials a week in advance to thoroughly prepare himself before facing students.
Bridging Athletic Experience with Academic Insight
Shankar believes his new academic path will eliminate bias in coaching. He noted that in India, good former athletes often become coaches. "Just because you were a good athlete, sometimes a lot of things that come to you naturally might not come to another athlete," he observed. He used the high jump as an example, suggesting there are ten effective techniques, but a coach might favor only the one they used.
With a Master's degree, he aims to understand the body's energy systems and exercise physiology deeply. This knowledge, combined with his elite athletic experience, will empower his future coaching and content creation. It will allow him to appreciate multiple approaches to training and performance.
At 27 years old, Tejaswin Shankar is no longer eligible for NCAA competitions, having completed five years on the circuit. He now trains as "just an old guy" alongside younger, eligible athletes. Yet, his focus remains unwavering. He is building a unique profile that blends top-tier athletic pursuit with formal sports science education. His journey to the 2028 Olympics is firmly routed through both the track and the classroom.
