Commonwealth Games 2026: Tejas Shirse, Sreeshankar and Lokesh Sathyanathan Reach Finals as India Enjoys Positive Start in Athletics

India enjoyed a promising start to its athletics campaign at the Commonwealth Games 2026, with Tejas Ashok Shirse, Murali Sreeshankar, and Lokesh Sathyanathan booking places in their respective finals during the opening morning session in Glasgow.

While there was disappointment for sprinter Gurindervir Singh, who bowed out in the first round of the men's 100m, the qualification of three athletes across two events ensured India began the track and field programme on a positive note.

The standout performances came in the men's long jump, where both Sreeshankar and Lokesh advanced comfortably, while national record holder Tejas Shirse created history by becoming only the second Indian men's high hurdler to reach a Commonwealth Games final.

The biggest headline of the session belonged to Tejas Ashok Shirse, who continued his impressive rise on the international stage. Competing in the men's 110m hurdles, the national record holder clocked 13.76 seconds in his opening-round heat to finish third, earning one of the automatic qualification spots for the final. Running with a legal tailwind of +2.1 m/s, Tejas remained composed throughout the race and executed a clean run over the barriers to secure his place among the medal contenders.

His qualification also marked a significant milestone for Indian athletics. Tejas became only the second Indian men's high hurdler in history to qualify for a Commonwealth Games final, joining the legendary Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, who achieved the feat back in 1966.

The achievement underlines the progress Indian sprint hurdling has made in recent years, with Tejas emerging as one of Asia's leading athletes in the discipline. Having already rewritten the national record books this season, the 22-year-old now has an opportunity to challenge for one of India's rare medals in the event when the final takes place at 2:15 AM IST.

If Tejas provided India's biggest moment on the track, Sreeshankar ensured there were smiles in the field events. The defending Commonwealth Games silver medallist wasted no time in confirming his place in the men's long jump final. Sreeshankar produced a superb leap of 8.01 metres with 0.0 m/s wind assistance on his very first attempt, comfortably surpassing the automatic qualification standard of 8.00 metres.

Only three athletes managed to clear the automatic mark during qualification, with Sreeshankar finishing third overall, underlining his status as one of the favourites heading into the final.

The qualification reflected the consistency that has defined Sreeshankar's comeback season. After battling injuries that interrupted his preparations following the Paris Olympic cycle, the Kerala athlete has steadily rediscovered his best form, producing a string of eight-metre jumps in recent competitions.

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His ability to qualify at the first attempt also allowed him to conserve valuable energy ahead of the medal round on July 29. As the defending silver medallist, expectations will naturally be high, but his opening performance suggested he is well prepared to challenge once again.

India's long jump success was further strengthened by Lokesh Sathyanathan, who also secured qualification for the final. Lokesh recorded a best jump of 7.77 metres, finishing seventh overall as the top 12 athletes progressed. Although he fell short of the automatic qualification distance, his mark comfortably placed him among the finalists after all qualification attempts had concluded.

Making a Commonwealth Games final is a significant achievement for the young Indian, particularly in an event featuring several world-class jumpers. Sharing the final with Sreeshankar also gives India two opportunities to challenge for medals in one of the country's strongest athletics disciplines. The presence of two Indian finalists reflects the growing depth in men's long jump and highlights the steady development of the event within the national programme.

Disappointment for Gurindervir Singh

The only setback of the morning came in the men's 100 metres. National sprint champion Gurindervir Singh clocked 10.39 seconds in the opening round but finished 28th overall, falling short of the qualification criteria. With only the top 17 athletes advancing to the semi-finals, Gurindervir's campaign ended in the heats. The result will undoubtedly disappoint the Indian sprinter, who entered the Games after a strong domestic season.

However, the experience of competing against some of the Commonwealth's fastest athletes will provide valuable lessons as he continues his development ahead of future international championships.

The opening session offered several encouraging signs for the Indian athletics contingent. Three finalists from four competitors represent a productive return, particularly considering the quality of competition across the Commonwealth. Tejas Shirse's qualification carries historical significance, while Sreeshankar's effortless progression reinforces his credentials as a genuine medal contender.

Lokesh Sathyanathan's advancement further strengthens India's hopes in the long jump, giving the country multiple opportunities to feature prominently when the finals begin. Beyond the results themselves, the manner of the performances stood out. Sreeshankar needed only one jump to secure qualification, Tejas ran with confidence under pressure, and Lokesh displayed the consistency required to navigate a challenging qualification round.

Those performances reflect both preparation and composure—qualities that often prove decisive in championship finals.

As the athletics programme progresses in Glasgow, India's attention will now turn to the medal rounds. Tejas Shirse will aim to script history in the 110m hurdles final, while Murali Sreeshankar hopes to build on his silver medal from the previous Commonwealth Games and challenge for the top step of the podium. Lokesh Sathyanathan, meanwhile, has the opportunity to make his mark on one of the biggest stages of his career.

The opening morning session may not have produced medals, but it delivered something equally important momentum. With three finalists already confirmed and several marquee athletes still to compete, India's athletics campaign at the Commonwealth Games 2026 has begun on an encouraging note, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting week in Glasgow.