The Asian Games decathlon event has reached a thrilling climax, with Tejaswin Shankar from India and the host country’s Sun Qihao battling it out for the gold medal. While Tejaswin’s personal best of 7648 points falls short of Qihao’s 7852, the competition promises an exciting finish. With only two events left – the javelin throw and the 1500m – let’s delve into what Tejaswin needs to do to secure that coveted Asian Games Decathlon gold.

The Current Standings

After eight grueling events, Tejaswin Shankar finds himself with 6431 points, trailing China’s Sun Qihao, who leads with 6522 points. Japan’s Yuma Maruyama is a distant third at 6223 points. Tejaswin, who previously clinched bronze at the Asian Championships in Bangkok, is well aware of the challenge ahead, having already completed his strongest events.

The Javelin Throw

Qihao boasts an impressive season’s best of 58.98 meters and a personal best of 63.51 meters in the javelin throw. It’s expected that he will extend his lead in this event. A strong performance here could add around 721 points to his total score. In contrast, Tejaswin’s personal best in the javelin is 52.70 meters, which translates to 629 points.

The 1500m Dash

With just the 1500m remaining, Qihao is likely to maintain a significant lead, around 183 points. However, there’s hope for Tejaswin in this event. Despite not specializing in the 1500m, he boasts a season’s best of 4.36.10, earning him 705 points. Qihao, on the other hand, struggles in this discipline, with a season’s best of 4.55.54, which is worth only about 586 points – a 119-point gap in favor of Tejaswin.

The Decisive Moment “Tejaswin Shankar

If both athletes perform at their usual standard, Tejaswin will finish approximately 64 points behind Qihao. However, Tejaswin has been exceptional in this competition, setting personal bests in shot put (13.39m), pole vault (4.10m), and discus throw (39.28m). He has expressed his goal of reaching 55 meters in the javelin, which would earn him 663 points. This would narrow Qihao’s lead to 149 points.

The Final Push

To secure the gold, Tejaswin would need to run a sub-4.32 second 1500m race. While this is a tough ask, the presence of Qihao as a target could be a game-changer. Tejaswin has never had such a clear goal in front of him in any of his previous decathlons.

The Road to Victory

Tejaswin Shankar’s journey to the Asian Games Decathlon gold has been marked by determination and consistent improvement. With just the javelin throw and the 1500m remaining, every throw and every step count towards the pursuit of victory.

Conclusion

As we approach the end of the decathlon competition, Tejaswin Shankar is not only on track to break Bharatinder Singh’s 12-year-old National record of 7658 points but also has a shot at Asian Games gold. While it requires some favorable circumstances, if the stars align, and Qihao has a slightly below-par finish, Tejaswin might just create his golden Asian Games moment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How are points calculated in Decathlon? Points for individual events in the decathlon are calculated using a points-scoring formula determined by the IAAF. The formula varies for track and field events, with faster times and better throws and jumps earning higher scores.
2. What is Tejaswin Shankar’s personal best in the javelin throw? Tejaswin Shankar’s personal best in the javelin throw is 52.70 meters.
3. What is Sun Qihao’s season’s best in the javelin throw? Sun Qihao’s season’s best in the javelin throw is 58.98 meters.
4. How many points does Qihao lead Tejaswin by before the 1500m event? Qihao leads Tejaswin by approximately 183 points before the 1500m event.
5. Has Tejaswin Shankar set any personal bests in this competition? Yes, Tejaswin Shankar has set personal bests in shot put (13.39m), pole vault (4.10m), and discus throw (39.28m) during this competition.