Sreeshankar returned to his favorite jumping pit in India with a performance that combined patience, precision, and pure competitive spirit.
On the final attempt of the men’s long jump competition at the 1st Indian Open World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meet, the 26-year-old soared to 8.13 m to claim gold, his best mark since returning from injury.
The Kalinga Stadium, a venue that has witnessed some of the biggest jumps in Sreeshankar’s career, once again proved to be a lucky arena. It was here in 2023, at the Interstate Athletics Championships, that he recorded 8.41 m, the second-longest jump in Indian history. This time, the stage was set for another memorable performance, and Sreeshankar delivered.
The Build-Up to the Winning Jump
Through the first five rounds, the competition was tense. Shahnavaz Khan, a rising 17-year-old talent from Uttar Pradesh, had stunned the field with a career-best 8.04 m in the early stages, holding onto the lead. Sreeshankar, though consistent, trailed in second, unable to find the big jump he wanted.
But champions know how to time their best effort. As the final round began, Sreeshankar, needing something special, sprinted down the runway with trademark focus. The takeoff was clean, the flight efficient, and the landing precise. When the mark flashed 8.13 m, it was enough to overhaul Shahnavaz and secure the title.
Second 8m Jump of the Season
The Bhubaneswar leap marked Sreeshankar’s second 8 m-plus jump of 2025, following an 8.05 m effort at the Indian Open Athletics Meet in Pune earlier in the season. Notably, he remains the only Indian male jumper to clear 8 m this year until now.
With Shahnavaz joining him in the “8m club” on Sunday, Indian long jump saw a rare double milestone in one afternoon.
India’s 8m Club 2024–2025 Season
- 8.01 m – Aditya Kumar (2024)
- 8.05 m – Sreeshankar M (2025)
- 8.13 m – Sreeshankar (2025)
- 8.04 m – Shahnavaz Khan (2025)
Last season, Aditya Kumar was the sole member of this elite group. In 2025, a resurgent Sreeshankar opened with 8.05 m, and now Shahnavaz has joined the list with his career-best 8.04 m, further raising hopes for Indian long jump at the Asian and global levels.
Comeback and Rankings Boost
Sreeshankar’s victory in Bhubaneswar was significant not only for its season-best mark but also for its impact on his World Athletics Rankings. As a Category C Continental Tour Bronze event, the meet awards important ranking points that could influence qualification pathways for major championships.
Returning from an injury layoff, Sreeshankar has been gradually building form. The 8.13 m clutch jump, his best since the comeback, signals that he is rediscovering the consistency and explosiveness that brought him medals at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. His next stop will be an international meet in Spain, where the competition level will be higher and the stakes greater.
The Bhubaneswar meet marked India’s first time hosting a World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze event, attracting top athletes from 16 countries. For Indian jumpers, it offered the chance to earn ranking points without travelling abroad, a factor that both Sreeshankar and Shahnavaz capitalized on.
The men’s long jump final was one of the highlights of the day, with a high-quality field producing three jumps over 7.85 m. Lokesh Sathyanathan, with 7.85 m, secured bronze, while the competition also saw consistent performances from India’s emerging pool of horizontal jumpers.
Why the 8 m Mark Matters
In men’s long jump, the 8 m mark has long been the benchmark separating strong national-level athletes from world-class contenders. Clearing it not only demonstrates technical excellence and physical power but also opens doors to top-tier international events.
For Sreeshankar, crossing 8 m is nothing new; he has done it repeatedly over the past five years, including his personal best of 8.41 m. For Shahnavaz, Sunday’s jump represented entry into an elite class. And for Indian athletics, having two athletes over 8 m in the same season signals a deepening talent pool. The World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo set the automatic qualification standard for men’s long jump at 8.27 m. While Sreeshankar’s 8.13 m is 14 cm shy, his world ranking points and potential for improvement over the next year keep him well in contention.
With planned appearances in stronger fields abroad starting in Spain, he will be seeking both bigger jumps and higher-category results to enhance his qualification chances for Tokyo and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Final Results Men’s Long Jump, Bhubaneswar
- Murali Sreeshankar (IND) – 8.13m (SB)
- Shahnavaz Khan (IND) – 8.04m (PB)
- Lokesh Sathyanathan (IND) – 7.85m
In athletics, the final round is where champions are made. Murali Sreeshankar’s 8.13 m in Bhubaneswar was more than just a winning jump; it was a statement that he is back, ready to contend, and capable of delivering under pressure. From his historic 8.41 m at the same venue in 2023 to this latest clutch performance, the Kalinga Stadium continues to be a special place for India’s long jump star. And with a new 8 m man in Shahnavaz Khan pushing from behind, Sreeshankar’s path ahead looks set to be both challenging and inspiring.
The next chapter in his comeback will unfold in Spain, but for now, the message from Bhubaneswar is clear: Murali Sreeshankar is back in business, and he’s still the man to beat in Indian long jump.
