AFI Exempts Tejaswin Shankar From Asian Games Selection Trials

The Athletics Federation of India has exempted national decathlon record holder Tejaswin Shankar from the mandatory National Inter-State Senior Championships. This crucial decision ensures that the elite multi-event athlete remains firmly in contention for the upcoming Asian Games selection despite missing the primary qualification event.

National decathlon record holder Tejaswin Shankar will remain under consideration for the Asian Games squad despite skipping the upcoming National Inter-State Senior Championships. The Athletics Federation of India confirmed the star athlete received an official waiver, protecting his eligibility for the premier continental tournament.

This critical update brings massive relief to Shankar, who has displayed exceptional form this season. The elite competitor recently shattered his own national decathlon standard during the high-profile Federation Cup held in Ranchi.

The national federation previously designated the National Inter-State Championships as the primary selection arena for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya later this year. However, sports administrators opted to treat Shankar’s circumstances differently because of the grueling nature of multi-event athletics.

Lalit Bhanot, chairman of the planning commission for the national governing body, clarified that forcing a multi-event competitor to handle consecutive decathlons in a compressed timeframe compromises athlete safety.

Bhanot informed PTI that Shankar submitted a formal written request for an exemption, which officials subsequently approved for the upcoming Asian Games selection process.

The official emphasized that the brutal 10-event decathlon prevents individuals from competing twice within a single month. Athletes require extensive physical recovery windows to prevent severe structural injuries.

As a result of this administrative flexibility, the Hangzhou Asian Games bronze medalist preserves his pathway to represent the nation on the grand continental stage once again.

WHY HAS TEJASWIN BEEN GRANTED EXEMPTION?

Unlike single-discipline track competitors, decathletes endure two consecutive days of intense physical exertion across 10 unique track and field events. Managing recovery remains a paramount logistical challenge during a packed global calendar.

The current 2026 outdoor season already demands that elite Indian athletes prepare for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next month alongside the subsequent Asian Games.

Shankar’s record-breaking performance at the Ranchi Federation Cup solidified his athletic credentials. This stellar display rendered an immediate follow-up decathlon appearance completely unnecessary from a high-performance selection perspective.

The 26-year-old star has solidified his reputation as one of the nation’s most reliable multi-event competitors. He enters the selection cycle as a premier podium prospect for the upcoming continental championships.

The special waiver highlights the executive powers granted to the national selection committee when evaluating exceptional circumstances for world-class athletes.

Bhanot reiterated that the selection committee retains ultimate legal authority to determine whether any specific athlete secures a spot on the final international roster.

GURINDERVIR, SABLE AND KUJUR UPDATES

While Shankar’s international pathway is secure, athletic officials have yet to deliver a definitive ruling regarding national 100m record holder Gurindervir Singh.

The elite short-sprinter registered a blistering national record of 10.09 seconds at the recent Federation Cup. Having already secured his entry for the Commonwealth Games, Singh has also submitted a formal request to skip the National Inter-State Championships.

Bhanot confirmed receipt of Singh’s application, stating that the executive committee will review the sprinter’s case before making a final determination.

The federation official noted that Singh must still participate in designated events to satisfy performance benchmarks before locking in an Asian Games roster spot.

Conversely, the federation delivered discouraging news regarding steeplechase national record holder Avinash Sable. Bhanot confirmed the standard-bearer is still rehabbing from complex ACL surgery and cannot participate in active competition.

The administrative official also addressed ongoing eligibility questions surrounding 200m national record holder Animesh Kujur’s state representation for Odisha. Allegations emerged challenging the legality of his athletic migration from Chhattisgarh.

Bhanot clarified that an approved state transfer remains legally binding unless an athlete triggers a new official migration process. Kujur arrived on Tuesday following a gold-medal performance in the 4x100m relay at the Asian Relays in China.

The elite sprinter expressed a clear objective to reclaim his individual short-sprint national record on the fresh track surface.

The 65th National inter-State senior athletics championship kicks off on Wednesday morning, with the final Asian Games roster scheduled for lock-in on the final day of the meet.

Athletes are arriving at Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium, where workers finished laying a high-tech ₹22 crore running track on Monday despite international shipping bottlenecks in the Strait of Hormuz caused by geopolitical conflicts.

Elite competitors like 5000m national record holder Gulveer Singh, high jumper Sarvesh Kushare, and joint national record pole vaulters Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar are chasing automatic qualification marks.

Hurdler Jyothi Yarraji is also staging a highly anticipated competitive comeback following a 1-year injury layoff.

Several premier stars join Shankar in skipping the event. Former World and Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra is among the elite figures who received official selection waivers.

For Shankar, the political and administrative hurdles have cleared, ensuring his absence from the local track will not disrupt his quest for continental glory.

Future Outlook

The strategic decisions made by the Athletics Federation of India highlight a modern, athlete-centric approach to high-performance management ahead of a dense 2026 international calendar. By shielding elite medal prospects like Tejaswin Shankar and Neeraj Chopra from redundant domestic qualifiers, sports scientists and administrators are prioritizing peak physical conditioning for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

The successful deployment of the new ₹22 crore track at Kalinga Stadium establishes a world-class infrastructure foundation for future national selections. Over the coming months, the federation’s focus will shift from domestic qualification management to specialized, insulated training camps designed to convert these bureaucratic exemptions into international podium finishes.

FAQs

Why did the AFI exempt Tejaswin Shankar from the National Inter-State Championships?

The Athletics Federation of India granted the waiver due to the extreme physical toll of the decathlon. Competing in two grueling 10-event competitions within a single month poses severe injury risks, and Shankar already proved his form by setting a national record at the Federation Cup in Ranchi.

Which other prominent Indian athletes are skipping the selection meet?

Alongside decathlete Tejaswin Shankar, former World and Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra and national 100m record holder Gurindervir Singh have requested or received exemptions from competing in the domestic selection event.

What is the status of steeplechaser Avinash Sable for the upcoming games?

National record holder Avinash Sable is currently sidelined and unable to compete. The Athletics Federation of India confirmed that the steeplechase star is still undergoing rehabilitation following ACL surgery.

Where is the National Inter-State Senior Championships being held?

The 65th edition of the prestigious domestic athletics meet is being hosted at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on a newly laid track that cost approximately ₹22 crore to complete.