Tejas Shirse clocks 13.27s national record, seals CWG 2026 qualification mark
Synopsis
Tejas Shirse didn't just break a record on Saturday — he broke a 12-year drought. His 13.27-second run in Ludhiana is the fastest by an Indian male hurdler in history, clears the CWG 2026 standard, and puts him on course to be the first Indian to contest the 110m hurdles at a Commonwealth Games since 2014.
Key Takeaways
Tejas Shirse clocked 13.27 seconds at the Indian Athletics Series 9 in Ludhiana on 13 June , setting a new national record in the men's 110m hurdles .
The run eclipses his previous national mark of 13.41 seconds (set in 2024) and surpasses the AFI's CWG 2026 qualification standard of 13.39 seconds .
Shirse's 13.27s currently ranks sixth on the 2026 Asian list .
If selected, he would be the first Indian male hurdler at the Commonwealth Games since Siddharth Thingalaya in 2014 .
National record holder Mohammad Afsal P clocked 1:47.00 in the 800m, falling short of the 1:45.00 CWG qualification standard.
Neeraj Chopra and Sachin Yadav remain sidelined by injury, leaving the javelin squad spot open for Rohit Yadav , Shivam Lohakare , and Kishore Kumar Jena .
Indian hurdler Tejas Shirse produced a historic run at the Indian Athletics Series 9 in Ludhiana on Saturday, 13 June, clocking 13.27 seconds in the men's 110m hurdles to shatter his own national record and comfortably clear the Athletics Federation of India's (AFI) 2026 Commonwealth Games qualification standard. The performance marks one of the most significant breakthroughs in Indian sprint-hurdles in over a decade.
The Record-Breaking Run
The 24-year-old athlete, competing in the B final, burst out of the blocks to seize an early lead over the field. Despite clipping the final hurdle, Shirse held his form through the finish line, stopping the clock at 13.27 seconds — obliterating his previous national mark of 13.41 seconds set in 2024. Runner-up Krishik M crossed in 13.55 seconds, never threatening the front-runner's commanding margin.
The new mark also surpasses the AFI's CWG qualification standard of 13.39 seconds, effectively making Shirse the leading Indian contender for selection in the hurdles event at Glasgow 2026.
Where It Places Him in Asia
Shirse's 13.27-second effort currently ranks sixth on the Asian list for the 2026 season, placing him firmly among the continent's elite over the barriers. The timing represents a sharp improvement from his gold medal-winning run of 13.50 seconds at last month's Federation Cup in Ranchi, suggesting a significant upward trajectory at exactly the right moment in the qualification window.
A Historic Opportunity for Indian Hurdles
The achievement carries deeper significance beyond the numbers. Should Shirse earn selection, he could become the first Indian male hurdler to compete at the Commonwealth Games since Siddharth Thingalaya's appearance in 2014 — a gap of 12 years. That historical context underscores how rare this level of performance has been in Indian athletics, and why this run has drawn immediate attention from selectors and fans alike.
Mixed Day for Other Indian Contenders
Not all Indian athletes left Ludhiana with cause for celebration. National record holder Mohammad Afsal P endured a difficult outing in the men's 800m, clocking 1:47.00 against a qualification standard of 1:45.00 — a shortfall that may effectively end his bid for a place in the CWG 2026 squad.
In the men's javelin throw, the picture remains unsettled. With World Championships finalist Sachin Yadav sidelined by an elbow injury and double Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra continuing his recovery, throwers Rohit Yadav, Shivam Lohakare, and Kishore Kumar Jena are reportedly in contention for national squad berths, though none had confirmed qualification at the time of reporting.
What Comes Next
With the AFI selection process for Commonwealth Games 2026 ongoing, Shirse's performance significantly strengthens his case. The coming weeks will determine whether his qualification mark translates into a confirmed squad berth — and whether Indian athletics can finally end its 12-year absence from the CWG hurdles podium.
Point of View
An event that has been functionally invisible at the Commonwealth Games for over a decade. The real question now is selection: AFI must decide whether one landmark performance in a B final is sufficient evidence, or whether it demands a follow-up at trials. Given the 12-year absence from CWG hurdles and the thin depth of the field behind Shirse, the selectors have little reason to hesitate. The parallel story — Afsal's 800m miss and the injury-depleted javelin contingent — is a reminder that India's CWG squad is being assembled under considerable attrition, making Shirse's breakthrough feel even more significant.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What national record did Tejas Shirse break at Indian Athletics Series 9?
Tejas Shirse set a new Indian national record of 13.27 seconds in the men's 110m hurdles at the Indian Athletics Series 9 in Ludhiana on 13 June, bettering his own previous mark of 13.41 seconds set in 2024.
Has Tejas Shirse qualified for the 2026 Commonwealth Games?
Shirse's 13.27-second run surpasses the AFI's CWG 2026 qualification standard of 13.39 seconds, making him eligible for selection. However, final squad selection by the AFI is still pending.
When was the last time an Indian male hurdler competed at the Commonwealth Games?
Siddharth Thingalaya was the last Indian male hurdler to appear at the Commonwealth Games, competing in 2014 — over 12 years ago. Shirse's qualification mark could end that absence.
How did other Indian athletes perform at Indian Athletics Series 9?
National record holder Mohammad Afsal P fell short in the men's 800m, clocking 1:47.00 against a required standard of 1:45.00, potentially ending his CWG qualification bid. The javelin competition saw Rohit Yadav, Shivam Lohakare, and Kishore Kumar Jena in contention, with Neeraj Chopra and Sachin Yadav both sidelined by injury.
Where does Tejas Shirse's 13.27 seconds rank in Asia?
Shirse's 13.27-second effort currently ranks sixth on the Asian list for the 2026 season, placing him among the continent's leading 110m hurdlers this year.
