India’s premier long jumper Sreeshankar added yet another feather to his cap by clinching first place at the Qosanov Memorial part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze series held in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
His best effort on the night, a 7.94m leap, proved enough to outclass the field and secure valuable world ranking points. But beyond the numbers, it was the manner of Sreeshankar’s performance built on rhythm, composure and technical discipline that signaled a promising comeback season.
A Series That Speaks Volumes
Rather than relying on a single big jump, Sreeshankar displayed a series that reflected remarkable consistency — a quality every elite long jumper aspires to maintain, especially after time away from competition. His series of jumps on the day were:
- 7.94m
- 7.73m
- 7.58m
- 7.57m
- 7.80m
- 7.79m
Each mark comfortably cleared the 7.5m barrier, highlighting the controlled execution of his technique. For athletes returning from injury, such steady numbers matter as much as a season’s best. They show the body’s ability to handle repeated explosive efforts, maintain rhythm across six rounds, and stay competitive under pressure.
This competition was not just about winning gold; it was about proving that his body and technique are back in sync critical for bigger international meets ahead.
Comeback Trail: Steady, Patient, Focused
The road to this win has been gradual but promising. Sreeshankar began his comeback earlier this season and has so far featured in three meets:
✅ 8.05m at the Indian Open Athletics Meet a solid marker that announced his return
✅ 7.75m at the Meeting Maia Cidade in Portugal an outing that kept him active in European conditions
✅ 7.94m at the Qosanov Memorial showing upward trajectory and confidence
While these numbers are shy of his personal best an impressive 8.41m that makes him India’s second-best long jumper ever behind Jeswin Aldrin the steady rise suggests that he is gradually closing the gap to his peak form.
At 25, time is still on his side. For Sreeshankar, the focus now is on consistent performances that rebuild confidence, refine takeoff timing, and avoid setbacks. The Qosanov Memorial may be a Bronze-level meet on the World Athletics Continental Tour, but it plays a vital role in the season. The ranking points Sreeshankar collects here feed directly into the World Athletics Rankings, crucial for qualification to global championships, including the upcoming World Athletics Championships.
Sreeshankar’s Comeback Gains Momentum as Indian Long Jumpers Eye Ranking Points at Qosanov Memorial
Beyond rankings, victories like this also carry intangible benefits: renewed self-belief, affirmation of training methods, and a morale boost that can propel an athlete into bigger competitions with a winning mindset.
For an athlete who is already an Asian Games silver medalist, Asian Championships silver medalist, and World Championships finalist (2022), this win is less about validation and more about momentum. Yet, every podium finish on foreign soil matters it keeps the competitive fire alive and sends a message to the domestic and Asian circuit that Sreeshankar remains a force to be reckoned with.
What’s Next: Bhubaneswar Beckons
Sreeshankar’s next scheduled competition will be the Indian Open in Bhubaneswar an opportunity to aim beyond the symbolic 8m mark and edge closer to the high‑performance zone he has reached in previous years.
In recent seasons, Sreeshankar has produced jumps over 8.20m and even crossed 8.30m, proving he belongs in the top tier of Asian and world long jumping. Indian athletics fans will be hoping Bhubaneswar becomes the meet where he rediscovers that extra 20–30cm that often separates good from great on the international stage.
If form and fitness hold, Sreeshankar could also feature at higher-tier meets later in the year, building up to major global competitions and eyeing qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics cycle.
A Decorated Athlete at 25
Despite the stop-start nature of his last two seasons, Murali Sreeshankar already boasts a resume that places him among India’s finest track and field athletes:
- Asian Games silver medalist
- Asian Championships silver medalist
- World Championships finalist – a feat that made history for Indian long jump
- Personal Best: 8.41m – set in 2023, still one of the top Asian marks of the decade
What stands out most is his ability to keep delivering credible performances, even after injury spells. Discipline, adaptability and a calm competitive temperament continue to define his approach. Murali Sreeshankar’s 7.94m win at the Qosanov Memorial may not have rewritten record books, but it strengthened something equally vital: belief in himself, and among those who follow Indian athletics closely.
As he heads to Bhubaneswar and beyond, expectations will naturally rise. Yet for now, Indian track and field fans can celebrate a win earned through consistency, experience, and the quiet confidence of an athlete who knows the biggest jumps are still to come.
Congratulations, Sreeshankar here’s to many more flights beyond 8m this season.
