Birmingham: India’s Tejaswin Shankar delivered a strong all-round performance to climb to second place in the men’s decathlon standings at the Commonwealth Games 2026, while Parul Choudhary endured a disappointing outing in the women’s 5000m final.
After five events, Tejaswin accumulated 4,339 points, staying within striking distance of Canada’s Damian Warner, who leads the field with 4,353 points. England’s Sammy Ball is placed third with 4,249 points.
High jump boosts Tejaswin’s medal hopes
Tejaswin’s standout performance came in his pet event — the high jump — where he cleared 2.15m to earn 944 points. The effort significantly boosted his overall standing and kept him firmly in contention for a medal.
He also impressed in the long jump, registering a leap of 7.82m to collect 1,015 points, one of his best performances of the day. These strong results helped offset relatively modest showings in other disciplines.
In the 100m sprint, Tejaswin clocked 10.96 seconds, earning 870 points, while in shot put — considered his weaker event — he managed a throw of 13.09m, adding 673 points to his tally.
He concluded the day with the 400m race, finishing fifth with a time of 49.51 seconds, which fetched him 837 points and ensured he remained close behind the leader.
Warner leads but competition tight
Damian Warner, a seasoned decathlete, showcased his class with two exceptional performances, scoring over 1,000 points in both the 100m (10.21 seconds) and long jump (7.77m). His consistency across events has kept him narrowly ahead of Tejaswin at the halfway stage.
With five more events remaining — including pole vault, javelin throw and the gruelling 1500m — the competition remains wide open. Tejaswin will aim to maintain momentum and close the gap in the final stretch.
Parul Choudhary finishes 13th in 5000m
In contrast, Parul Choudhary had a challenging race in the women’s 5000m final, finishing 13th with a timing of 15:08.56. The 31-year-old, whose personal best stands at 15:04.26, was unable to match her top form in a highly competitive field.
Australia’s Rose Davies claimed gold with a season-best time of 14:44.53, while compatriot Jessica Hull secured silver in 14:45.01. Scotland’s Megan Keith took bronze with 14:49.10.
Parul, who is better known for her performances in the 3000m steeplechase, had earlier missed out on a medal in her preferred event as well, making it a disappointing campaign overall.
India’s wait for 5000m medal continues
India’s wait for a Commonwealth Games medal in the women’s 5000m continues, with no athlete yet managing to break into the podium positions in the event. Despite Parul’s recent strong performances — including a national record and a runner-up finish at an international meet in France — she could not replicate that form on the big stage.
Conclusion
Tejaswin Shankar’s rise to second place in the decathlon standings keeps India’s medal hopes alive in one of athletics’ most demanding events. With half the competition still to go, he remains well placed to challenge for the top spot. Meanwhile, Parul Choudhary’s result serves as a reminder of the challenges at the elite level, as India continues its search for a breakthrough in women’s long-distance events at the Commonwealth Games.