India's Tejaswin Shankar saw his Commonwealth Games high jump campaign come to an emotional end after a knee injury forced him to withdraw from the men's high jump final in Glasgow.

The Birmingham 2022 bronze medallist had entered the competition as one of India's leading medal hopes and believed he was capable of challenging for the gold medal.

However, his campaign ended after just one attempted jump.

Knee Injury Forces Withdrawal

According to Shankar, his knee gave way before the competition began.

Although he was officially listed as Did Not Start (DNS), he still walked onto the runway and attempted one jump in the hope of continuing.

The injury, however, prevented him from competing further.

Speaking after the event, an emotional Shankar said the timing of the injury made the setback especially difficult to accept.

He explained that while the condition was one many jumpers manage throughout their careers, it flared up on the day of the final.

"I Was Ready to Win"

Shankar said he had arrived in Glasgow in excellent form and felt confident about competing for a medal.

According to the athlete, the injury disrupted what he believed could have been one of the best performances of his career.

He described the issue as an overuse injury involving the patellar tendon, adding that although it is common among jumpers, it unexpectedly worsened before the final.

Supporting His Teammate Despite His Own Disappointment

Even after withdrawing, Shankar remained beside the competition area to support fellow Indian Sarvesh Kushare.

During the event, he was seen offering tactical advice to Kushare, including suggesting that he skip one height and attempt a higher clearance to strengthen his chances of winning.

Kushare chose to continue with his original attempts and eventually cleared the bar before going on to win the silver medal.

The result made Sarvesh Kushare the first Indian man to win a Commonwealth Games high jump medal better than bronze.

Focus Shifts to the Decathlon

Despite the disappointment, Shankar has not ruled out participating in the remaining events of the Commonwealth Games.

He said he intends to work with the medical team over the next two days in an effort to recover for the decathlon, while acknowledging that events such as the high jump and long jump place the greatest strain on the injured tendon.

Shankar expressed confidence that, with treatment, he may still be able to compete if his condition improves.

Why This Matters

Tejaswin Shankar has been one of India's most consistent performers in high jump over recent years, and his withdrawal is a significant setback for the country's athletics campaign. At the same time, his decision to remain on the field and support teammate Sarvesh Kushare highlighted the spirit of teamwork, with Kushare ultimately securing a historic silver medal for India.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why did Tejaswin Shankar withdraw from the high jump final?

He withdrew after aggravating a knee injury, which prevented him from continuing in the men's high jump final.

What injury did Tejaswin Shankar suffer?

According to Shankar, the problem involved his patellar tendon, an overuse injury commonly experienced by high jumpers.

Did Tejaswin Shankar compete in the final?

He attempted one jump but was unable to continue and was officially recorded as Did Not Start (DNS).

What did Sarvesh Kushare achieve?

Sarvesh Kushare won the silver medal, becoming the first Indian man to win a Commonwealth Games high jump medal better than bronze.

Will Tejaswin Shankar compete again at the Commonwealth Games?

Shankar has said he hopes to recover in time to participate in his remaining decathlon events, subject to his fitness.