Tejas Shirse Breaks National Record, Ends 12-Year Wait for Commonwealth Games Qualification

Tejas Shirse delivered one of the finest performances in Indian athletics history, smashing the national record in the men's 110m hurdles with a sensational time of 13.27 seconds at the Indian Athletics Series-9 in Ludhiana, Punjab.

The 24-year-old athlete from Maharashtra produced a breathtaking run in Heat 2 (second preliminary race), eclipsing his own previous national mark of 13.41 seconds, set in 2024 . Assisted by a legal wind reading of +1.6 m/s, Shirse’s performance was not only a new national benchmark but also a landmark achievement for Indian track and field.

The remarkable run saw him comfortably surpass the 13.39-second entry standard for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow , making him the first Indian male hurdler in more than a decade to achieve the qualification mark. The achievement ends a long wait for Indian athletics, with no Indian man having met the Commonwealth Games standard in the event since 2014.

Beyond the national significance, the timing also elevated Shirse among the continent's elite hurdlers. His 13.27-second effort currently places him sixth in Asia , underlining his growing stature on the international stage and reinforcing hopes of strong Indian representation in major global competitions.

While Shirse stole the spotlight, teammate Krishik M Shi also impressed with a second-place finish in 13.55 seconds , highlighting the rising standard of Indian hurdling.

The record-breaking performance sparked celebrations among athletics enthusiasts, officials and fellow athletes. Coach Kshitij Bhoite praised Shirse's dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence, describing the achievement as the result of years of disciplined work and perseverance.

The Reliance Foundation , which supports the hurdler, hailed the run as a historic moment for Indian athletics, emphasizing that a new chapter had been written on home soil.

For Shirse, the record represents far more than a number on the clock. It is the reward for years of hard work, sacrifice and belief. For Indian athletics, it is a reminder that the country's athletes are steadily closing the gap with the world's best.

With the 2026 Commonwealth Games now firmly in sight and confidence at an all-time high, Tejas Shirse's record-breaking run may well be remembered as the moment Indian hurdling entered a new era.