Overview
- Tejas Shirse ran 13.27 seconds at the Indian Athletics Series-9 in Ludhiana on Saturday, lowering his own 2024 national record of 13.41s and bettering the Athletics Federation of India’s Commonwealth Games qualifying mark of 13.39s.
- He recorded the time in the B final, clipped the last hurdle but still finished clear of the field with Krishik M second in 13.55s, and his 13.27s ranks among the top Asian seasonal marks for 2026.
- The Ludhiana meet was the final AFI-designated qualification window for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, so Shirse’s performance materially strengthens his selection case while official team picks remain pending.
- Shirse credited Reliance Foundation for his rehab and training and his coach James Hillier said a focused recovery plan after an ankle injury helped him return to peak form ahead of the Games.
- The meet also left key places unresolved: Mohammad Afsal missed the 800m qualifying time and India’s javelin spots are uncertain with Sachin Yadav sidelined by an elbow issue and Neeraj Chopra still in recovery, so selectors must finalise several contingent choices.