India’s star long jumper Murali Sreeshankar continued his impressive comeback from injury by clinching his third consecutive title, winning the men’s long jump event at the Qosanov Memorial Athletics Meet in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Competing in the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze label (Category C) meet, the 26-year-old secured victory with a leap of 7.94 meters on his first attempt.
Sreeshankar’s series of jumps reflected his growing consistency since returning to competition. His six attempts measured 7.94m, 7.73m, 7.58m, 7.57m, 7.80m, and 7.79m. Although his performance on Saturday fell short of his personal best of 8.41m, the Indian ace comfortably claimed the top spot and showed encouraging signs as he works toward regaining his peak form.
This was Sreeshankar’s third competition since returning from a knee injury suffered in April last year, which forced him to undergo surgery and miss the 2024 Paris Olympics. The setback had sidelined him from competitive action for over 650 days, with his last major appearance coming at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, where he won a silver medal.
After months of rehabilitation, Sreeshankar made his long-awaited return at the Indian Open Athletics Championships in Pune on July 12, producing a leap of 8.05 meters. While that effort was below the World Championships qualification mark, it was a significant personal milestone after a career-threatening injury. He then claimed victory in Portugal with a winning jump of 7.75 meters before heading to Kazakhstan.
Speaking about his comeback, Sreeshankar emphasized the importance of building rhythm and confidence with each meet. Saturday’s victory, though shy of the 8-meter mark, highlighted his steady progress and ability to deliver under competition pressure.
The immediate target for the 26-year-old is to qualify for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September. The qualification standard has been set at 8.27 meters, a mark Sreeshankar will aim to achieve in the coming weeks. His current form indicates he is gradually regaining the strength and consistency required to compete at the highest level.
Before his injury, Sreeshankar was considered one of India’s top medal hopes in international long jump events. His 8.41-meter personal best ranks him among Asia’s elite, and his silver medal at the 2023 Asian Games underlined his potential. Missing the 2024 Olympics was a major setback, but his return to form has rekindled optimism for future championships.
The Qosanov Memorial victory adds to Sreeshankar’s growing list of achievements post-recovery and serves as a confidence booster as he eyes the global stage once again. His focus will now shift toward clearing the World Championships qualifying mark while maintaining his fitness and momentum in the build-up to Tokyo.
