Sarvesh Kushare Shatters Tejaswin Shankar's National High Jump Record With 2.31m Leap

Last Updated:June 27, 2026, 22:44 IST

Sarvesh Kushare sets new Indian men high jump record at 2.31m in Bhubaneswar, surpassing Tejaswin Shankar, now joint third in world rankings and top Asian performer for 2026.

Maharashtra’s Sarvesh Kushare delivered a landmark performance at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, rewriting the Indian men’s high jump record with a remarkable clearance of 2.31m.

The 25-year-old surpassed the previous national mark of 2.29m, set by Tejaswin Shankar in 2018, to become the first Indian high jumper to clear the 2.30m barrier. His achievement added another chapter to a memorable championships that has already witnessed five national records.

Kushare, who became the first Indian to qualify for the men’s high jump final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo last year, attempted 2.35m after setting the new record but was unable to clear the height in his two efforts.

The record-breaking jump elevated Kushare to joint third in the world rankings for the 2026 season while making him the leading Asian performer this year. His effort also comfortably surpassed the Athletics Federation of India’s Asian Games qualifying standard of 2.19m.

‘Satisfied’ With Record

Reflecting on the breakthrough, Kushare admitted that he had been knocking on the door of the record for some time.

“I had been getting close to 2.30m and had been thinking about clearing it, but it just wasn’t happening.

“But AFI top officials, including (Lalit) Bhanot sir said I will do 2.30m, for sure. Today I went for 2.31m and I am very satisfied."

Having already secured a place in the record books, Kushare immediately turned his attention to even bigger targets, including the upcoming Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.

“I will go for gold at the Asian Games and I am confident about it. The 2.35m mark will also fall, may be during the Commonwealth or the Asian Games," Kushare said.

He also acknowledged the influence of former national record-holder Tejaswin Shankar in raising the standard of Indian high jumping.

“Before 2015-16, no Indian could go above 2.20m, Tejaswin did that and after that we also felt that we can do it. So, in the near future I also feel that I can do 2.35m."

With his historic leap, Kushare has established himself as one of Asia’s leading high jumpers and strengthened his credentials ahead of the major international competitions later this year.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for over a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket conten...Read More

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