Long Jumper Murali Sreeshankar Makes Triumphant Return With Gold At Indian Open
Sreeshankar made his comeback at the Indian Open Athletics Meet, winning gold in men's long jump with a leap of 8.05m. This was his first competition since the 2023 Asian Games.
The Indian Open Athletics Meet at the Savitribai Phule Pune University Sports Complex on Saturday featured a host of elite athletes, but it was long jumper Murali Sreeshankar who stole the spotlight.
Making his highly anticipated return to competitive action after a lengthy injury layoff, India's premier long jumper delivered a powerful statement.
Sreeshankar clinched the gold medal in the men's long jump with a leap of 8.05m — the first Indian to cross the 8m mark in the event this year.
A Remarkable Comeback Performance
Sreeshankar, whose personal best stands at a staggering 8.41m — one of the finest marks in Indian athletics history — showed no signs of rust in his first appearance in nearly two years.
Despite a long break from competition, the 25-year-old looked sharp and confident, delivering a top-class performance to mark his return.
His gold-winning effort of 8.05m was not only enough to win the event but also signaled that he remains one of India's top medal prospects in track and field.
First Competition Since 2023 Asian Games
Sreeshankar's last appearance came at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, over 650 days ago. Since then, he had been sidelined by a serious knee injury that required surgery and ultimately forced him to miss the 2024 Paris Olympics — a heartbreaking setback for the talented athlete.
Now back in action and pain-free, Sreeshankar has begun building toward what he hopes will be a strong international comeback.
With this performance, Sreeshankar has taken his first major step toward qualifying for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. He also has his sights set on the 2026 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, both of which remain key targets on his calendar.
Thanks to the support of India's Mission Olympic Cell (MOC), Sreeshankar will compete in a series of international meets across Europe and Central Asia in the coming weeks. His itinerary includes stops in Portugal, Spain, and Kazakhstan from July 19 to August 14.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has approved a funding grant of ₹5.58 lakh to support this tour, further underlining the backing he continues to receive from Indian athletics authorities.
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First Published:
July 12, 2025, 18:22 IST
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