Commonwealth Games 2026 bronze medallist Tejaswin Shankar has expressed his gratitude to star wrestler Vinesh Phogat for her words of encouragement after a knee injury forced him to withdraw from the high jump event at the recent Commonwealth Games.Shankar, a two-time Commonwealth Games medallist, was forced out of the high jump after his long-standing knee problem flared up during his opening attempt. The setback left the athlete devastated, with Shankar breaking down in tears after being unable to continue.Despite the disappointment, he bounced back strongly in the gruelling two-day decathlon, finishing with 7,976 points and securing his second Commonwealth Games medal. His national record in the decathlon stands at 8,057 points.Shankar has been dealing with chronic patellar tendinitis, commonly known as jumper’s knee.Following his withdrawal, Vinesh had reached out to him with a motivational message, urging him to remain focused and prepared for whatever came next.“Teju, you still can do it. Stay focused on what is ahead,” Vinesh wrote on X. “My coach always said, as professional athletes, we must always be prepared for the best and at the same time, be ready for the worst. In life, everything happened for a reason, I guess. Rooting for you as always.”Remembering Vinesh’s support, Shankar thanked her publicly and recalled how she had helped him feel comfortable during his first Commonwealth Games in 2018.Remembering her support, Shankar replied, “Thank you, Vinesh ji for your motivating words. I remember my first CWG in 2018 as a teenager when you made me feel comfortable and told me that I belonged there. 8 years later, you are still a role model.”
Vinesh Phogat to challenge Brij Bhushan acquittal
Meanwhile, Vinesh said the women wrestlers who accused former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh of sexual harassment will appeal a Delhi court’s decision to acquit him.A Delhi court on Monday acquitted Brij Bhushan and co-accused Vinod Tomar in the sexual harassment case filed by the women wrestlers. Vinesh confirmed that the wrestlers would challenge the verdict.
