Indian long jumper Sreeshankar Murali secured a gold medal in Portugal, marking a significant step in his strong comeback after knee surgery.
Triumph in Portugal
Sreeshankar claimed the long jump title at the Meeting Maia Cidade do Desporto in Maia, Portugal. This World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze-level meet saw him achieve a best jump of 7.75 meters.
He opened with a 7.63m jump and secured his winning leap in the second round. Despite the challenging conditions, he maintained strong performance, including a 7.69m jump later in the competition.
Poland’s Piotr Tarkowski also matched Sreeshankar’s 7.75m effort. However, Sreeshankar won due to the tie-breaker rule, which considers the second-longest legal jump. His 7.69m leap surpassed Tarkowski’s 7.58m.
Sreeshankar noted the harsh weather, stating on social media, “Never jumped in such terrible cold headwinds in my life.” This highlights the resilience needed to perform under such conditions.
A Powerful Comeback Trail
This victory marks Sreeshankar’s second gold medal in as many outings since returning from a lengthy injury layoff. Just last week, he made a strong return at the Indian Open Athletics Meet, where he secured a win with an impressive 8.05m jump.
That 8.05m leap is currently the best mark by any Indian long jumper this year. Sreeshankar, a Commonwealth Games and Asian Games silver medallist, expressed his initial anxiety but also a sense of calm during his first competition back.
The Journey Back from Injury
Sreeshankar faced a 21-month layoff after rupturing his patellar tendon just before the 2024 Paris Olympics. This severe injury, where part of the bone chipped off, initially left him devastated and questioning his career.
He underwent successful surgery at The Aspetar Hospital in Doha, Qatar, a facility known for treating top athletes like Neymar. Following the procedure, Sreeshankar dedicated himself to an intense rehabilitation program at the Inspire Institute of Sports in Bellary, working with a team of experts.
Looking Ahead
Sreeshankar’s packed schedule includes several upcoming competitions. He is set to compete in the Qosanov Memorial Athletics Meeting in Almaty on August 2nd and 3rd.
After that, he will return to India for another World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze event in Bhubaneswar. His tour will then take him to Spain to participate in the Meeting International C.D. Meliz Sport.
- Sreeshankar Murali won gold at the Meeting Maia Cidade do Desporto in Portugal.
- This is his second victory since returning from a severe knee injury.
- He won on a tie-breaker, showcasing his consistency despite challenging headwinds.
- His recovery involved major surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
- Sreeshankar is now set to compete in several international events.
His impressive return to form signals a promising future as he continues his competitive season.
