Tejaswin Shankar Misses the Podium at FISU World University Games 2023 in Chengdu as India had their first day without medals

The FISU World University Games 2023 in Chengdu, China, has been an event of ups and downs for Indian athletes. Among them, Tejaswin Shankar, a talented 24-year-old track and field athlete, had high hopes of clinching a medal in the men's high jump event. However, despite his impressive achievements and national record in the discipline, luck did not favor him on this occasion.

Tejaswin Shankar's Past Successes:

Tejaswin Shankar is no stranger to success on the international stage. In 2018, he set the national record for men's high jump at an impressive height of 2.29m. Last year, he made India proud by securing a bronze medal in the same event at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, leaping to a height of 2.22m. Not stopping there, he also ventured into combined events, achieving a bronze medal in the men's decathlon at the Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok.

The Disappointment in Chengdu:

As the FISU World University Games unfolded, Tejaswin Shankar had a strong start, clearing 2.05m, 2.10m, and 2.15m on his first tries. However, things took a turn for the worse when he failed to clear 2.20m in all three of his attempts. This dashed his hopes of adding another medal to his collection and left him well below his personal best.

Medal Winners at the Event:

Ukraine's Vladyslav Lavskyi emerged victorious in the men's high jump event, claiming the gold with a personal best jump of 2.25m. Chinese Taipei's FU Chao Hsuan secured the silver by clearing 2.20m on his second attempt. The bronze medal was shared by Ukraine's Roman Petruk, Hungary's Gergely Torok, and Chinese Taipei's Tsai Wei Chih, who all cleared 2.20m on their third attempts.

India's Overall Performance:

Despite Tejaswin Shankar's disappointment, India's overall performance at the FISU World University Games 2023 in Chengdu has been commendable. The country's tally stands at 23 medals - 11 gold, five silver, and seven bronze. A significant portion of these medals was contributed by the shooting contingent, which secured 14 medals - eight gold, four silver, and two bronze.

The Hopeful Athletes:

While Tejaswin Shankar missed out on a medal, other Indian athletes continue to strive for success at the multi-sport event. Swadhin Kumar Majhi, another Indian high jumper, unfortunately, failed to make it past the qualifying round with an effort of 2.05m. On a brighter note, Bhavani Bhagavathi Yadav secured a bronze medal in the women's long jump, proving that there is still hope for India's athletes to shine in Chengdu.

As the FISU World University Games 2023 progresses, the eyes of the nation remain on the Indian contingent, hoping for more moments of glory. While Tejaswin Shankar's performance may not have gone as planned, his achievements so far are a testament to his talent and dedication. With a few more days of competition left, there is still an opportunity for Indian athletes to add to their medal haul and make the nation proud. As we eagerly await the conclusion of the event on August 8, let us continue to support and cheer for our athletes in Chengdu.