Tejas Shirse ruled out of Asian Games after revealing two stress fractures sustained during Commonwealth Games
India’s 110m hurdler Tejas Shirse said on Tuesday (August 4, 2026) that he will not compete at the Asian Games in Japan after running at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with “two stress fractures” in his left foot, a condition he announced in an Instagram post.
Shirse, 24, became the first Indian to reach the 110m hurdles final at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games with a semifinal time of 13.76 seconds, but he completed the final in an eight-men field with a heavily taped left foot, finishing last in 15.39 seconds while visibly in pain.
Reflecting on the medical diagnosis in his social media post, Shirse wrote: "This isn't the post I dreamed of writing. I thought I'd be holding a medal. This was the time I was prepared to win. Instead, I'm holding MRI reports," and added, "Two stress fractures in my left foot. A dream paused. A season over."
He said his qualification for the Asian Games, which begin on September 19 in Japan, will not be realised this year, writing: "The cruelest part isn't one race. It's knowing I qualified for the Asian Games and now I won’t get to stand on that start line again!"
On his decision to run in the Commonwealth final despite warning signs, Shirse wrote: "I didn’t feel it (injury) going into the competition. Something changed during warm-up. Every athlete knows that moment when your body tells you something is wrong, but your heart refuses to listen. So I ran. Not because I thought I would win because sometimes you’ve worked too long to walk away before the gun goes off."
Addressing critics, he rejected suggestions he was feigning injury: "I’ve read the comments — I limped because I was in last position" No! I limped because my foot was broken." He also said he was not seeking sympathy, writing: "For the first time in a long time…I genuinely don’t know what comes next. But if this sport has taught me anything, it’s that your strongest identity can’t be built on your fastest race. Right now, I’m not asking for sympathy."
Shirse explained why he continues to share his journey publicly, adding: "People ask why I keep sharing my journey. Some say every time I do, it brings nazar. Maybe. But I started sharing my story for a different reason. If my journey can help even one person believe that setbacks are not the end, then I’ll continue to be honest about both the highs and the lows," and noting, "It's been 9 major competitions in total if i am not wrong that i missed out on. Today, I don’t have a comeback story. I have pain. Questions. Regret over a few choices I know I could’ve made differently. And a future I suddenly can’t see as clearly as I did a week ago. I’ll be back when I know who I am after this chapter."
As a result of the injury diagnosis, Shirse will miss the Asian Games that begin on September 19 in Japan.