PM Modi Congratulates High Jumper Tejaswin For Historic Win

Tejaswin wins bronze in the men's high jump

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tejaswin Shankar for winning India's first athletics medal in the men's high jump event.

"Tejaswin Shankar created history," Prime Minister Modi tweeted. "He won our first high jump medal in the CommonWealth Games (CWG). Congratulations to him for winning the Bronze medal. Proud of his marvellous efforts. Best wishes for his future endeavours. May he keep attaining success in future?"

India's Tejaswin Shankar clinched the bronze medal in the men's high jump final with the mark of 2.22m at the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham on Wednesday.

World championships indoor bronze medallist Hamish Kerr from New Zealand won the gold in the event for clearing the 2.25 meter hurdle.

The 23-year-old Shankar could not stick over 2.25m in two attempts. He then went for 2.28m in his third and final attempt in a bid to win a silver but unfortunately failed. Before Shankar, the best position an Indian had achieved in men's high jump in CWG was by Bhim Singh who cleared 2.06m in the 1970 edition in Edinburgh.

Shankar had finished sixth in the 2018 Gold Coast edition with a best jump of 2.24m.

Shankar, who was added to the Indian athletics squad on the orders of Delhi High Court, has a season's best of 2.27m and personal best of 2.29m.