India Murali Sreeshankar won the silver medal in the men’s long jump at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, producing a best jump of 8.09m in a fiercely contested final on Thursday. The Indian star led the competition after the opening three rounds but eventually settled for silver after Jamaica’s former world champion Tajay Gayle cleared 8.15m in the fourth round. Scotland’s Stephen Mackenzie completed the podium with a best jump of 8.08m, just one centimeter behind Sreeshankar. The medal added another significant achievement to the Indian athletics campaign in Glasgow.
Sreeshankar takes first before Gayle strikes
Sreeshankar made an excellent start to the final, opening with a brilliant 8.09m, which kept him at the top of the leaderboard after the first three rounds. Scotsman Mackenzie was within touching distance at 8.08m, while Gayle took third in the tally despite the Scotsman’s distance. Fellow Indian Lokesh was also in contention after registering 7.97m, sitting fourth at the halfway mark of the competition.
Gayle produces a championship-winning leap
The contest took a dramatic turn in the fourth round when Gayle produced a superb leap of 8.15m to take the lead. Sreeshankar responded with what looked to be a massive leap but was denied by the narrowest of margins as the attempt was ruled a foul. His father and coach, Murali, later pointed out that the jump would have comfortably crossed 8.20m, highlighting how close the Indian was to regaining the lead.
The last over ends India’s golden hopes
Going into the sixth and final over, Sreeshankar also got a chance to overtake Gayle. Scotland’s Mackenzie, who jumped ahead of the Indian, cleared 8.06m in her final attempt, leaving her best mark at 8.08m and securing the bronze medal.Sreeshankar’s latest effort measured 7.97m, meaning his opening jump of 8.09m was his best of the competition. Gayle, already assured of gold, could not improve in his last attempt but comfortably retained the title.
Lokesh Impresses on Commonwealth Games debut
India’s second runner-up Lokesh enjoyed an encouraging debut at the Commonwealth Games by finishing fifth. His best effort of 7.97m came in the first round, but he was unable to improve on his remaining attempts.
Final ranking
| position | Athlete | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tajay Gayle (Jamaica) | 8.15 m |
| 2 | Murali Sreeshankar (India) | 8.09 m |
| 3 | Stephen Mackenzie (Scotland) | 8.08 m |
| 4 | Mitrevski (Australia) | 8.02 m |
| 5 | Lokesh (India) | 7.97 m |
| 6 | Ryan | 7.93 m |
| 7 | Daniel | 7.90 m |
| 8 | Adcock | 7.74 m |