Sports

CWG 2026: Sreeshankar bounces back with long jump silver in Glasgow

Elizabeth Taylor - bharatmorningnews.com जुलाई 30, 2026

Foto : Elizabeth Taylor - bharatmorningnews.com

Sreeshankar Claims Long Jump Silver at Glasgow Commonwealth Games After Injury Setback

Bharatmorningnews.com – Just two years following a devastating left patellar tendon rupture that nearly concluded his athletic journey, Murali Sreeshankar secured an impressive silver medal in the long jump event at the Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow on Wednesday. The 27-year-old Indian athlete, who previously earned silver at the 2022 Birmingham edition, delivered a standout performance with his finest leap measuring 8.09 meters on his second attempt.

Competition Highlights and Results

Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle, a three-time World Championships medalist, ultimately claimed gold with a remarkable 8.15-meter jump during his fourth try. The tall and powerful Jamaican athlete, known for his fluid technique, opened the competition with an 8.08-meter effort that initially placed him alongside Scotland’s Stephen Mackenzie at the top of the standings. Mackenzie finished third with a personal best of 8.08 meters.

Sreeshankar began his campaign with a solid 8.03-meter leap, while his compatriot Lokesh Sathyanathan started with 7.97 meters. After Sreeshankar’s second attempt of 8.09 meters elevated him to the lead, Gayle responded decisively on his fourth attempt to seize control of the competition.

Following the loss of his position at the top, Sreeshankar composed himself with several deep breaths before his next run. Although his effort appeared promising, it was ruled a foul. With only two attempts remaining, the visibly anxious athlete managed 7.94 meters in his fifth try and closed with 7.97 meters. His complete series recorded 8.03m, 8.09m, x, x, 7.94m, and 7.97m. Had he secured victory, Sreeshankar would have become the first Indian to win a long jump title in Commonwealth Games history.

Sathyanathan’s Performance and Future Prospects

Sathyanathan concluded the competition in fifth place with his best effort of 7.97 meters achieved in his opening attempt. The Indian athlete struggled to find his rhythm throughout the event, with his run-up appearing inconsistent despite a promising start. Even though he achieved a season’s best of 8.21 meters twice earlier in the year during competitions in the USA, Sathyanathan failed to clear the 8-meter mark in Glasgow. His complete series read 7.97m, 7.70m, 7.49m, 7.65m, 7.32m, and 7.62m.

Despite falling short of gold, Sreeshankar’s silver medal serves as excellent preparation for the upcoming Asian Games beginning in two months’ time.

Recovery Journey and Training Evolution

Sreeshankar’s achievement carries added significance given his recovery from what he described as his lowest point approximately two years ago. Speaking to HT before departing for Glasgow, he recalled:

“Forget competing, the doctors told me I may not even walk again.”

The athlete underwent surgery in April 2024 at Aspetar Hospital in Doha, a procedure that included a skin graft and the insertion of three screws into his knee. He resumed competitive events the following year after the operation.

The surgical intervention necessitated substantial modifications to his training and recovery protocols. Working under the supervision of strength and conditioning specialist Wayne Lombard, Sreeshankar now follows a rigorous three-hour, five-day weekly training schedule.

“Earlier, I used to train six days, but now the body demands more time to recover. I understand my body a lot better now. I have to do a lot of rehab, pre-training activations, and post-training care for my knee,”

he explained. This comprehensive approach includes daily icing applications, compression boots for his quadriceps, and regular soft tissue work targeting his hip flexors to ensure minimal stress on his left knee.

While Sreeshankar has accepted that his left knee will never function identically to before, he remains confident in his potential to achieve unprecedented success for Indian athletics.