Fitcart Sports News Blog.
Authored by S. Kannan (Sports Analyst) and Fitcart Editorial Team Ritu Makhija.
An athlete’s life to stardom is filled with joy, energy and moments of highs. At the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, an Indian answering to the name of Tejaswin Shankar pushed the limits of physical endurance and pain to the limits. TJ, as he is known to friends, had tears of joy in his eyes as he stood on the podium with the bronze medal hanging around his neck, on Friday.
The weather in Glasgow, Scotland, has been beastly. Warm, cold, windy, rain and then a sudden chill. These elements tested one and all. For Tejaswin, the start was bad, he had to pull out of a high jump individual event. And then came the most dramatic phase in his career. Tejaswin had two days to prepare, get ready. In this journey, multi facets of modern science came to the fore. Add to it Tejaswin’s own strength, physical, mental and spiritual, he roared back like a tiger.
Watching the fired-up India blaze through ten disciplines in two days and handle the tendinitis in the knee was such a joy at the CWG. He had a big team working with him. First, noted ortho surgeon Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, accompanied by a group of top physios. More important, Wayne Lombard was there to guide Tejaswin.
This was one of the most complete medical teams plus a fitness team which was propping up the Indian for an assault of Himalayan proportions. How TJ nursed through each event and then peaked in the last event, the 1500m, is a testimony to his will-power and energy. To many, this is the biggest medal of the CWG, even if it was not gold. “I think this is massive. Tejaswin deserves a lot of praise for his effort, to battle pain and overcome adversity,” said Dr PT Usha, herself a top athlete of her times and President of the Indian Olympic Association.
Tejaswin has been a fitness freak and a great athlete from his school days at the Sardar Patel Vidyalaya in New Delhi. At school meets, Tejaswin “bhaiya” was a star, a hero, who scorched the school sports week, before passing out in 2016. Not many would have imagined, including folks in the Athletics Federation of India, Tejaswin would improve. His move to college in the USA was defining. As the big boy in the NCAA, he was improving. Add to it a degree in academics, he landed with a job as well in the USA.
Yet, deep down, his heart was in sports. How he shifted to the decathlon is a great story, wanting to conquer all events. It is very tough, but Tejaswin never backed off. Hours spent in training. And hours spent in Glasgow in sorting pain, rehab and getting ready have been chronicled.
Dr Pardiwala had little time on his hands. But he was not going to rule out Tejaswin. Once he was administered anti-inflammatory tablets before the decathlon event, and knee taping was done, it was left to Wayne Lombard. What all Lombard did is magical, introducing Tejaswin to a ‘chamber’ which would boost his oxygen supply to heal. How the thing worked is known to all.
As a story of overcoming the odds is out in public domain now, not many would know the back story. Tejaswin has been an athlete, focused on eating right and working hard on his body. He had to shift to an animal protein diet as well. It ensured he was getting stronger. Proper hydration, massive workout in the gym, making the body look strong, he has emerged as an Alpha Male. Now, Tejaswin needs to take a break. “No load for a fortnight, rest and then recover. He will undergo therapy and we will get him ready for the Asian Games in Nagoya,” said Dr Pardiwala.
Fitcart Insight: What Every Athlete Can Learn from Tejaswin Shankar’s Remarkable Recovery
Tejaswin Shankar’s Commonwealth Games bronze medal is much more than a sporting achievement. It is an outstanding example of how modern sports medicine, intelligent recovery, disciplined nutrition and mental resilience can work together to help athletes perform at the highest level.
Elite athletes rarely rely on talent alone. Behind every medal-winning performance is an experienced multidisciplinary support team that may include sports physicians, orthopaedic specialists, physiotherapists, strength and conditioning coaches, sports nutritionists, psychologists and recovery experts.
While every athlete’s injury and rehabilitation programme is unique, several key principles consistently contribute to successful performance and recovery.
Sports Medicine and Injury Management
Rapid diagnosis, appropriate medical treatment and carefully monitored rehabilitation are essential for returning safely to competition.
Managing inflammation, reducing pain and progressively restoring movement are often the first priorities before rebuilding strength and performance.
Importantly, returning to competition should always be guided by qualified healthcare professionals rather than simply training through pain.
Recovery Is Part of Training
One of the biggest lessons from elite sport is that recovery is not a break from training—it is an essential part of it.
Professional athletes increasingly use evidence-based recovery strategies, including:
- High-quality sleep
- Individualised physiotherapy
- Mobility and flexibility work
- Compression therapy where appropriate
- Cold and heat therapy
- Massage and soft tissue treatment
- Proper hydration
- Nutrition to support tissue repair
- Guided return-to-play programmes
Depending on the athlete and medical advice, advanced recovery technologies such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy may also be explored in specialist settings. However, these interventions should only be undertaken under professional supervision where appropriate.
Nutrition Helps Build Stronger Athletes
Elite performance begins long before competition day.
A balanced nutrition plan can support:
- Muscle repair and recovery
- Energy production
- Immune function
- Bone health
- Tendon and ligament health
- Reduced fatigue during heavy training blocks
Many elite athletes prioritise:
- High-quality protein intake
- Complex carbohydrates for training fuel
- Healthy fats
- Colourful fruit and vegetables rich in antioxidants
- Electrolytes for hydration
- Appropriate vitamin and mineral intake where required
Nutritional strategies should always be individualised according to training demands, body composition goals and professional guidance.
Mental Strength Wins Championships
Tejaswin’s determination to continue despite adversity highlights another important aspect of elite sport—psychological resilience.
Research has consistently shown that athletes who develop strong mental skills often perform more consistently under pressure.
Common techniques include:
- Goal setting
- Visualisation
- Positive self-talk
- Controlled breathing
- Mindfulness
- Performance routines
- Stress management
- Confidence building
Mental resilience can be developed through consistent practice just like physical fitness.
Why Supplement Quality Matters
Many competitive athletes choose sports nutrition products to complement an already well-planned diet. However, quality assurance is extremely important.
Athletes competing under anti-doping regulations should always look for supplements that have been independently batch tested for banned substances through recognised third-party certification programmes.
Choosing reputable manufacturers that provide transparent ingredient sourcing, manufacturing standards and quality testing can help reduce unnecessary risks.
Fitcart supports informed purchasing by offering products from internationally recognised brands committed to quality, transparency and athlete safety.
Building Long-Term Athletic Success
Tejaswin Shankar’s story demonstrates that success is rarely built overnight.
It comes from thousands of hours of disciplined training, intelligent coaching, consistent recovery, good nutrition and the ability to overcome setbacks.
Whether you’re an elite athlete, weekend runner or someone beginning your fitness journey, the same foundations apply:
- Train consistently.
- Recover properly.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Stay hydrated.
- Prioritise sleep.
- Build mental resilience.
- Seek expert advice when injured.
- Choose quality nutrition products responsibly.
Great performances are built every day—not only on competition day.
Wishing our champion the best for the future from Fitcart.com and Smart Nutrition India.
Frequently Asked Questions
How important is recovery after injury?
Recovery is critical. Appropriate rehabilitation helps restore strength, mobility and confidence while reducing the risk of re-injury.
Can nutrition improve athletic recovery?
A well-balanced diet that provides sufficient protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats and micronutrients supports normal recovery and adaptation to training.
Should athletes take supplements?
Supplements should complement—not replace—a balanced diet. Their use should be based on individual needs and professional advice.
Why is third-party batch testing important?
Independent batch testing provides additional reassurance that products have been screened for substances prohibited in sport, helping athletes make more informed choices.
Is mental resilience trainable?
Yes. Sports psychology techniques such as visualisation, mindfulness, structured goal setting and positive self-talk can all help improve performance under pressure.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Athletes recovering from injury should always consult appropriately qualified healthcare professionals, sports physicians or physiotherapists before returning to training or competition.
Disclaimer – Sports Supplements
Sports nutrition supplements should complement a balanced diet and structured training programme—they should never replace them. Athletes should choose products from reputable manufacturers that prioritise quality, transparency and, where appropriate, independent third-party batch testing for banned substances. Individual nutritional needs vary, and supplementation should be based on professional advice where appropriate.
Fitcart proudly supports athletes by connecting Indian consumers with internationally approved, batch-tested and clean sports nutrition and wellness brands committed to quality, transparency and responsible manufacturing.
Image credit to tejaswinshankar_tj on Instagram.
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