Sarvesh Kushare claimed a silver medal in the men's high jump final at the Commonwealth Games 2026, clearing 2.25m, the exact height the gold medallist also cleared, before missing out on top spot purely on fewer successful attempts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him on social media soon after the result.
How the final unfolded
In the competition held in Glasgow, India's Aadarsh Ram and Sarvesh Kushare both cleared 1.15m in their very first attempts to open their campaign. Kushare then moved to joint top position after clearing 2.20m on his first attempt. As the bar kept rising, the contest grew tighter, and Kushare eventually cleared 2.25m, a height also cleared by the eventual gold medallist. Under the rules, the athlete with fewer attempts at the winning height takes gold, and that is how Kushare ended up with silver.
Tejaswin Shankar's role
India's Tejaswin Shankar was also competing in the same final, and according to reports he fought back tears while guiding and encouraging Kushare through the competition, helping him hold his nerve on the way to the silver medal.
What Modi wrote
Modi, posting with the hashtag #CWG2026, called Kushare's silver a spectacular achievement and praised his determination and consistency. He added that India was proud of him and wished him many more successes ahead.
From the World Championships to the Commonwealth Games
This is not Kushare's first breakthrough. In September 2025, he jumped a career-best 2.28m at the World Athletics Championships to finish joint sixth, becoming the first Indian ever to reach a high jump final at the Worlds. Reports have noted that his wife's support has played a big part in that journey, with Kushare saying she had stood by him even though she could have asked him to stop chasing the sport long ago.
India's campaign opens with three medals
India's athletics campaign at the Commonwealth Games 2026 began on a high note. Sharmila Dhankar produced a surprise gold in the para shot put, and combined with Kushare's silver, India collected three medals right at the start of the athletics events.
Public reaction
Modi's post drew a wave of congratulatory responses, with many users praising Kushare's hard work and consistency, while some also used the moment to call for greater support for athletics and high jump in the country.
