The event in Bengaluru on Saturday was Murali Sreeshankar’s first competition of the season. His steady performance graph was encouraging and hints at better results in the near future
Asian Games silver medallist in men’s long jump, Murali Sreeshankar, opened his 2026 season with a leap of 8.15m to win the title at the Indian Open Athletics Series in Bengaluru on Saturday.
“My training has been going well,” Sreeshankar told Sportsbackstory.com.
The 27-year-old Kerala’s international long jumper was steady in his performance at the long jumping arena, hinting of good performance in near future.
The Commonwealth Games silver medallist had an excellent series in Bengaluru. Of the six attempts, five of them were above 8m. His best on Saturday was 8.15m, a season best.
Sreeshankar began his gold medal quest with a leap of 8.03m. His second jump was 7.99m. He got a good rhythm in his third attempt to record 8.13m. He sailed to a distance of 8.15m in his fourth jump. The fifth and sixth jumps were 8.12 and 8.10m, respectively.
The international jumper from Kerala missed the 2024 Paris Olympic Games due to an injury. He was impressive on his comeback in 2025. His season best in 2025 was 8.13m.
His main goal this season will be to improve the colour of medals at Glasgow Commonwealth Games as well at Asian Games in Japan.
Sreeshankar will be one to watch during 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Competition in Ranchi starting May 22. The four-day domestic competition will be the final selection trials for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
EOM
