In sport, few moments capture the essence of resilience and determination quite like an athlete returning from a career-threatening injury, and this is about Sreeshankar
On a warm evening at the Indian Open Athletics Meet 2025 in Pune, India witnessed one such moment: the comeback of long jumper Sreeshankar, who soared to a remarkable 8.05m becoming the first Indian this season to cross the 8m mark this year.
For Sreeshankar, this was not just another meet. It was a return to competition after 1 year, 9 months, and 11 days his last appearance being the Asian Games final on October 1, 2023, where he won silver for India. Since then, his journey had been halted by a devastating injury: a snapped knee tendon, an injury so severe it could have easily ended his athletic career.
Yet, against the odds, Sreeshankar chose to fight. With months of surgery, rehabilitation, and countless hours of training under the watchful eyes of his coaches at the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Trivandrum and support from the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), he prepared for this day a comeback that India’s athletics community had long awaited.
A Consistent Series, a Stunning Highlight
Returning to the runway after over 650 days, Sreeshankar opened his series with a solid 7.84m a distance impressive in itself, considering it was his first competitive jump in nearly two years. His second jump saw further improvement, reaching 7.99m, agonisingly close to the 8m barrier.
The highlight came in his fourth attempt: a soaring 8.05m jump, despite a headwind of -1.9 m/s, firmly reestablishing Sreeshankar among the top long jumpers in Asia. His series 7.84 | 7.99 | 7.84 | 8.05 | – | 7.84 showed not just brilliance but consistency, a hallmark of an experienced athlete making a thoughtful return rather than a rushed comeback.
What made the feat even more remarkable was its significance in the context of Indian athletics. Sreeshankar’s jump was India’s best men’s long jump in nearly two years and marked the first time any Indian jumper crossed the 8m mark this season.
Beyond Numbers: The Journey Back
For an athlete who had once been touted as India’s best chance at breaching the elusive 8.30m barrier consistently, the injury in late 2023 was a cruel twist of fate. The knee tendon snap meant not only surgery but a complete reset physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Many in Indian athletics feared that Sreeshankar’s best days were behind him. But through determination, meticulous rehab, and strategic planning, he worked his way back. The Sports Authority of India’s NCOE Trivandrum became his second home, and the TOPS support ensured he had access to the best medical care and training environment.
The Indian athletics community rallied behind him, waiting for this day when Sreeshankar would once again glide down the runway, plant his foot firmly, and take flight not just across the sandpit, but over every doubt that had ever lingered.
Aiming for Higher Targets
While an 8.05m jump is an outstanding comeback mark, Sreeshankar knows the road ahead is still challenging. The qualification standard for the upcoming World Athletics Championships stands at 8.27m a distance that will require further improvements.
Yet, if there’s anything this performance proved, it’s that Sreeshankar is not done yet. His technical prowess remains intact, and his ability to find rhythm quickly after such a long break is a testament to his preparation and natural talent.
The Bigger Picture
Sreeshankar’s return also comes at an important time for Indian athletics. With the World Championships and other major meets approaching, India will need its best athletes in form. In men’s long jump, Sreeshankar has often been the flag bearer, and his performance in Pune is a timely boost for India’s hopes on the global stage.
In the 2023 season before injury, Sreeshankar had been consistent around the 8.10–8.20m mark and had set a personal best of 8.36m. His silver at the Asian Games was seen as a sign of further progress before the injury halted everything.
Now, the narrative has shifted once again: from questions of “Will he come back?” to “How far can he go now?”
A Comeback That Inspires
Beyond medals and records, Sreeshankar’s story is a powerful reminder of what resilience looks like in sport. Coming back from a snapped knee tendon is not just about physical recovery it requires confronting fear, regaining trust in the body, and rebuilding competitive confidence.
On social media, fans and fellow athletes have hailed him as “the most tenacious Indian athlete ever,” and it’s hard to disagree. To return after 650 days, cross the 8m mark immediately, and do so with such composure, shows what makes Sreeshankar special.
As he stood at the end of the runway in Pune, eyes fixed on the sandpit, the past 650 days must have flashed by: the surgery, rehab, training sessions, and moments of doubt. With that 8.05m leap, he left them behind flying once again, reminding everyone why he remains one of India’s most gifted long jumpers.
Sreeshankar is back and Indian athletics is better for it.
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