Indian hurdler Tejas Shirse produced a pivotal performance at the Indian Athletics Series in Ludhiana, breaking his own record in the men’s 110m hurdles and qualifying for the Commonwealth Games.
The 24-year-old clocked 13.27 seconds at Guru Nanak Stadium, surpassing the Commonwealth Games qualification mark of 13.39 seconds, improving on his previous national record of 13.41 seconds. The result came just weeks after Shirse appeared to have missed out on qualification following timings of 13.67 and 13.50 seconds at the Federation Cup in Ranchi.
The Athletics Federation of India later designated the Ludhiana meet as a final qualification event, giving Shirse one last opportunity to secure his place, seizing it with a record-breaking run that marked his return to top form after a lengthy injury layoff.
An ankle injury had sidelined Shirse for four months, raising doubts over whether he would return in time for major international competitions. However, the national record holder made a strong comeback, clocking 13.43 seconds in May before further improving his performance in Ludhiana.
Shirse said the achievement was particularly satisfying given the challenges he faced during rehabilitation. While the Commonwealth Games had not initially been part of his recovery plans, his rapid return to competition opened the door for qualification.
The Commonwealth Games field is expected to feature elite hurdlers, including athletes who have won Olympic and Commonwealth medals. Despite the challenge, the Indian hurdler believes the event will provide valuable experience and an opportunity to perform on a bigger stage.
The record-breaking run further strengthens Shirse’s position as India’s leading 110m hurdler, adding momentum to his preparations for future international competitions.
