NEW DELHI: Just over two years ago, Murali Sreeshankar feared he could never compete again. A ruptured patellar tendon during training in April 2024 forced the Indian long jumper to miss out on his biggest dream – the Paris Olympics – despite having already secured qualification.Doctors, coaches and many around him believed that his career might be over. But he refused to give up.Today, the 27-year-old is back stronger than ever.Going into the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Sreeshankar is enjoying one of the best seasons of his career. He opened the year with a jump of 8.15m in Bengaluru, won the Simbine Classic in South Africa with 8.12m and recently recorded 8.38m at the National Inter-State Championships – the second best jump of his career after his national record of 8.41m.After winning silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games with 8.08m, Sreeshankar now has only one goal in mind – to turn silver into gold.“Because last time I won the silver with the same jump, 8.08. I am in good touch, more confident. This time the chances are also very good. I hope to change the color of the medal,” Sreeshankar told reporters during a virtual media interaction.
They are in the best condition
The 2025 season was all about rebuilding for Sreeshankar, both mentally and physically. After the surgery, she shifted her focus to the Commonwealth Games, the Asian Games and eventually the LA Olympics.“My main goal in 2025 was to be at the World Championship so that I set the tone for the 2026 season, which is exactly what happened now. Now in 2026 we have the Commonwealth Games in 10 days and in two and a half months we also have the Asian Games. It’s about updating your preparation,” he said at the right time.“The global standards have become higher, but the biggest confidence for me is that physically I am in the best condition ever after the surgery. During the rehabilitation I worked on many factors that really improved my physical condition and qualities. I am really optimistic and looking forward to the events, especially the Commonwealth Games where the competition will be very high. I am excited to go to Glasgow”, he added a good competition.
Preparation in Poland for the Glasgow challenge
Sreeshankar is currently training in Spala, Poland, where the conditions are very similar to what he expects in Glasgow. The Indian star believes that adapting to Mondo’s track surface and the cooler climate could make a bigger difference.“Spala is absolutely the best place to train now, not only because of the weather, but also because of the track. The track here is Mondo, which is the same surface we had in Glasgow,” he said.“When I arrived here at Spala, the first week was difficult because the feedback you get from a Mondo track is completely different from a normal track. We have been training outside during the evening sessions when it is colder, so my body adjusts,” added the long jumper.
Recovery now matters more than workload
After the serious knee injury, Sreeshankar says that recovery has become as important as training.“Work-wise, recovery is the most important thing right now. More than working hard and going all out every day, recovery has become the key part of my training. Basically, they train five days a week. One day is active recovery and one day is complete rest because I can’t train the way I trained five years ago because of my knee problem.”I would add that years of elite competition have also taken their toll.After the Commonwealth Games, scheduled for July 23 to August 2, there will be little time to shift attention to the Asian Games. The 20th Asian Games will be held in Aichi and Nagoya from September 19 to October 4.With the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games coming up in a few months, Sreeshankar knows the challenge lies in timing his peak.“The challenge is to peak in two different stages, the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games. You have to respect your body and give it a proper recovery so that it is ready for the next training session. That’s what professional sport is all about, management of recovery and training,” he said.
No target distance, just trust the process
Over the years, Sreeshankar has taken his performances to another level. His personal best of 8.41m, set at the Federation Cup in Bhubaneswar in June 2023, remains the national record.Despite jumping 8.38m this season, Sreeshankar believes there is much more to come.“I have not looked at a ceiling for my jump because I feel this season that I have the potential to produce a very big jump. I have not fixed any particular mark like a national record or a specific distance. I am just trusting the process and working in every parameter that is in my control. I am optimistic that the big jump will come in a major championship,” he said.“I was very happy because it was my best jump after the surgery, but there is always a much bigger jump waiting. Once all the different parameters align well, I will indeed have that big jump. I am eagerly waiting for that day,” said Sreeshankar.