Indian athletics fans have plenty to cheer about as two of India’s leading long jumpers Sreeshankar and Abdulla Aboobacker gear up to compete at the XXXIV Qosanov Memorial, a World Athletics Continental Tour bronze level meet (category C).
Scheduled to take place this weekend, the meet offers valuable World Ranking points a critical currency in the race for global qualification and season-ending rankings.
For Sreeshankar, the Qosanov Memorial marks his second overseas outing since making a return from injury a comeback that has already turned heads. The 25-year-old long jumper, who missed much of the 2024 season, had opened his 2025 campaign at the Indian Open Athletics Meet in Pune, leaping to a strong 8.05m. That effort not only marked his best since injury but also made him the first Indian male jumper to breach the 8m barrier this year, and the only one to do so in 2025 so far. In context, it placed Sreeshankar 15th on the Asian lead chart for 2025, highlighting how quickly he has reinserted himself into elite continental company.
Winning Start in Europe: Maia Cidade do Desporto Gold
Building on the Pune performance, Sreeshankar headed to Portugal for the Meeting Maia Cidade do Desporto 2025—a World Athletics Continental Tour bronze level meet, his first European competition of the year. There, he delivered a composed series, capped by a best jump of 7.75m, enough to take gold.
Though below his season best, the win itself carries significance beyond distance. It’s the second competition in a row since his return from injury where Sreeshankar has topped the podium a clear statement of intent as he looks to rebuild rhythm and confidence. It also reflects a strategic choice: competing in bronze-level meets provides crucial ranking points, helping boost his world standing ahead of bigger targets later in the season.
Speaking after his 8.05m jump in Pune, Sreeshankar had told NNIS Sports that better performances would follow in the European circuit. With a first-place finish in Maia, he has stayed true to that promise showing not just competitive edge but also consistency, a quality often most difficult to recover after injury breaks.
Ranking Points and Road Ahead
Now, attention turns to the Qosanov Memorial, where Sreeshankar will line up alongside fellow #TeamIIS athlete Abdulla Aboobacker. While Aboobacker specialises in triple jump and is a former Asian Games medallist, Sreeshankar’s participation in long jump is equally critical: it is not just about medals, but about collecting the ranking points necessary to maintain and improve his global position.
With the World Athletics system weighing recent performances and meet categories heavily, every meet counts. Bronze level events (category C) might not have the same headlines as Diamond League or gold-level meetings, but for athletes returning from injury or those outside the top-10 automatic rankings they provide the stepping stones to qualify for bigger championships and to stay in the conversation for global finals.
For Sreeshankar, who is still chasing rhythm and top-end distances, the Qosanov Memorial offers both a competitive field and a valuable opportunity to test himself against international rivals. For Aboobacker, it’s another chance to sharpen form in the lead-up to bigger continental events.
The Significance of 8.05m
Sreeshankar’s 8.05m jump in Pune earlier this season deserves its own spotlight. Not only was it the best by any Indian male long jumper this year, but it was also the first 8m+ jump by an Indian since Aditya’s 8.01m in April 2024. Given the disruptions of injury and the challenges of returning to international level, breaching that barrier immediately upon comeback is no small feat.
Historically, Sreeshankar has shown an ability to build season form: in previous years, his best jumps often came later in the European season or during major championships. The early 8m mark suggests his technical base is intact, and if the body holds, distances closer to his personal best of 8.36m could follow.
The Bigger Picture for Indian Athletics
Beyond the immediate meets, Sreeshankar’s return is vital for India’s medal prospects at the Asian Athletics Championships and World Championships. Alongside Jeswin Aldrin and Mohammed Anees Yahiya, India’s men’s long jump group had built significant depth in recent years. Sreeshankar’s absence last season was felt, and his return brings back a proven big-competition jumper someone who has made World Championship finals and consistently jumped beyond 8.20m when fit.
Sreeshankar Marks European Comeback with Victory at Maia Continental Tour Meet
Meanwhile, Aboobacker’s consistency in the triple jump keeps India competitive in a discipline where the Asian field is increasingly deep, with athletes from China, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan all clearing strong marks this season.
Two competitions, two podium finishes: that is the simple but powerful summary of Sreeshankar’s comeback story so far in 2025. From 8.05m in Pune to 7.75m and gold in Maia, the numbers show a steady build, but the real story lies in regained confidence, rhythm, and the quiet but determined pursuit of bigger goals.
As he, alongside Abdulla Aboobacker, heads to the XXXIV Qosanov Memorial, it is another chance to collect ranking points, test form, and, perhaps most importantly, keep building momentum. The season is still young, but for Indian athletics, having Sreeshankar back in the mix, leaping over 8 metres and winning abroad, is already a major boost.
Best wishes to both athletes as they look to soar higher and farther and keep Indian athletics in the global conversation.
