Glasgow: India’s Sarvesh Kushare etched his name into the history books by winning the country’s first-ever silver medal in the men’s high jump at the Commonwealth Games, adding another milestone to an extraordinary season for Indian athletics.
The 31-year-old from Maharashtra cleared 2.25 metres in a gripping final to finish second behind Jamaica’s Romaine Beckford, who claimed gold on countback after both athletes failed to clear 2.28 metres. England’s Jack Kimani secured the bronze with a best effort of 2.20 metres.
Kushare’s silver surpassed India’s previous best performance in the event, improving on Tejaswin Shankar’s bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Competing at the Games for the first time, Kushare delivered a composed and confident performance to earn his maiden Commonwealth medal.
Fellow Indian Adarsh Ram finished fifth after clearing 2.15 metres, while Tejaswin Shankar, who was also in the field, withdrew after an unsuccessful attempt at 2.05 metres to preserve his fitness ahead of the decathlon competition.
The achievement marks another landmark moment in Kushare’s remarkable rise. Hailing from Devargaon village in Maharashtra’s Nashik district, he grew up in a farming family where resources were scarce. As a young athlete, he trained using improvised landing pits made from agricultural waste, including corn husks and cotton, carefully prepared by his father, who also served as his first coach.
His perseverance has transformed him into one of India’s finest high jumpers. Earlier this year, Kushare rewrote the national record by clearing 2.31 metres at the National Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar. He also became the first Indian high jumper to finish on the podium at a Diamond League meeting, claiming third place on his debut in Monaco with a jump of 2.26 metres.
Reflecting on his historic Commonwealth success, Kushare described the medal as a major milestone in his career. He expressed his determination to build on the achievement and target gold at the next Asian Games, viewing the Commonwealth platform as an important stepping stone towards even greater international success.
Kushare’s journey has been one of steady progression. After making his first appearance at a national championship in 2014, he captured his maiden national title in 2018 before consistently raising his personal best over the years. In 2025, he became the first Indian to qualify for the men’s high jump final at the World Athletics Championships, underlining his emergence among the world’s elite jumpers.
His silver medal in Glasgow not only creates history for Indian athletics but also highlights the country’s growing presence in international field events. From practising in makeshift facilities on his family’s farm to standing on the Commonwealth Games podium, Sarvesh Kushare’s inspiring journey is a testament to resilience, dedication and unwavering belief in achieving sporting excellence.
