Murali Sreeshankar was told he would never jump again. He presents them with his 2nd CWG medal

Everyone thought Murali Sreeshankar’s career was over in 2024 when he completely ruptured his patellar tendon. Many told him to his face. But here we are, two years later, with a silver medal hanging around our neck at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Sreeshankar returned to the Commonwealth Games podium on Wednesday with a best jump of 8.09m to win his second silver medal in men’s long jump. Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle won gold with 8.15m while Scot Stephen Mackenzie finished third with 8.08m. India’s Lokesh Sathyanathan was fifth with a best of 7.97m.

For Sreeshankar, however, the medal was much more than a defense of the silver he won in Birmingham four years ago.

“All those who said I will never jump again in my career. This medal is for you,” Sreeshankar said after the competition.

Those words carried two years of doubt.

“All those who said I will never jump again in my career, this medal is for you,” Sreeshankar said after winning silver at CWG 2026.

Murali Sreeshankar clinched the silver medal in the men’s long jump with a best jump of 8.09 to secure his second place in a row. pic.twitter.com/QdhjcfoskK— nnis Sports (@nnis_sports) July 29, 2026

THE INJURY THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

Sreeshankar was one of India’s biggest hopes for the Paris Olympics. He won silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, followed by another silver at the 2023 Asian Games, and was steadily aiming for the biggest opportunity of his career.

Then, in April 2024, a seemingly routine jump during training in Palakkad changed everything.

His patellar tendon, the structure that connects the patella to the tibia, had completely ruptured. It was a devastating injury for a long jumper, far more serious than the inflammation commonly associated with a jumper’s knee. Part of the bone also broke off.

Paris disappeared almost immediately. As well as the certainty for a while that Sreeshankar will ever be able to jump competitively again.

“It was a concerted effort by a lot of people to make the impossible possible. When you have a torn patellar tendon, it’s like you’re completely torn. The patellar tendon is every jumper’s bread and butter. That’s why it’s called jumper’s knee. Every jumper has inflammation there. That’s what happened to TJ. But mine was torn. The doctors told me at first that my career went well, the rehab went well,” he said.

The operation was performed in Qatar and a long rehabilitation followed. Finally returning to competition after a 21-month hiatus, Sreeshankar gradually regained the confidence and explosiveness needed to do the one thing he was told he might never do again: jump.

There was no shortcut back.

“There was a lot of self-doubt. Many doctors believed that my career was over. People hardly come back with such an injury. Still, when I went to Qatar for surgery, they were sure that they would stitch me back up and get me back on the track in 6 months, but they also said that after that it all depends on my body,” Sreeshankar said ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

By the time he reached Glasgow, the question was no longer whether Sreeshankar could jump again. It was about whether he could compete for medals.

BACK TO THE COMMONWEALTH PODIUM

The answer came quickly. Sreeshankar entered the Glasgow final with a solitary jump of over 8 meters to gain direct qualification. He looked comfortable from the start, opening with 8.03m and immediately getting into medal contention.

The Indian was animated throughout the contest, challenging the crowd to get behind him after each attempt. His father and coach S Murali watched from the stands as their son continued to gain strength.

Then came round two. Sreeshankar produced 8.09m to take the lead ahead of Gayle and Mackenzie. For a moment, the story seemed to be headed for an even bigger ending.

But Gayle wasn’t done. The Jamaican found his best jump in the fourth round, clearing 8.15m to move ahead. Sreeshankar then had to respond but his next two attempts were fouled.

For all the joy of returning to the Commonwealth podium, Sreeshankar admitted that this silver did not feel quite like the one he won in Birmingham.

“Last time I was very happy to win the silver medal. This time I’m not so happy because I knew I had a big jump in me. There was a very good jump that was ruined by the smallest margin,” he said.

This frustration is perhaps the clearest sign that Sreeshankar is simply not happy to be back and wants to win again.

NEXT GOAL: THE ASIAN GAMES

The knee may not be what it was before the injury and Sreeshankar knows that better than anyone.

“After every competition I have to work on my knee a bit to keep it balanced. It’s not like a few years ago. I’ll take a day or two off and then start preparing for the Asian Games,” he said.

There is little time to celebrate. The Asian Games in Japan is next and Sreeshankar knows the target will be higher there.

“I’m just thankful to represent my country. I thank God almighty, I thank the people who supported me. Better performances must follow. I have to really improve my game. I have to jump really far to win a medal for my country in the Asian Games,” he said.

Two years ago, Sreeshankar watched the Paris Olympics from afar, recovering from an injury that threatened to end his career.

Two years later, she is back on the Commonwealth Games stage.

He has another silver medal around his neck, another big competition ahead of him, and most importantly, one more jump left in him.

Doctors said his career was over. Sreeshankar has spent the last two years making sure he proves them the opposite.

– The end

Issued by:

Kingshuk Kusari

Published on:

30 Jul 2026 11:52 IST