July 30, 2026 — Murali Sreeshankar made history for Indian athletics on Wednesday. He became the first Indian long jumper to win back-to-back Commonwealth Games medals. He took silver at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow.
The 27-year-old from Kerala jumped 8.09m in the men’s long jump final. He finished just 6cm behind Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle. Gayle, the 2019 world champion, won gold with 8.15m.
A tight final in Glasgow
Sreeshankar started well. He opened with a solid 8.08m leap. That put him in the race early. For a short time, he even led the competition. However, Gayle’s fourth-round jump of 8.15m changed the picture.
In the end, four athletes cleared the eight-metre mark. Every centimetre mattered. Still, Sreeshankar held his nerve. He secured India’s 13th medal of the Glasgow Games. It was also India’s fifth long jump medal in CWG history.
From Birmingham heartbreak to Glasgow redemption
Four years ago in Birmingham, Sreeshankar entered as a favourite. He left with silver after a dramatic finale. This time, he came back with extra pressure. He had a serious knee injury in the build-up. Even so, he cleared the 8.00m automatic qualification mark in the qualifiers. Then he delivered when it mattered most.
With this performance, he achieved two milestones:
- He became the first Indian male long jumper to win two CWG medals.
- He became the first Indian to win consecutive silvers in the event.
His Glasgow leap of 8.09m is also better than his 8.08m from Birmingham 2022. This shows his consistency at the highest level.
What it means for Indian athletics
Sreeshankar’s repeat podium finish strengthens India’s position in sprint and jump events at major meets. After Neeraj Chopra’s Olympic triumph and many continental successes, his durability matters. So does his ability to perform under pressure. This sends a strong message ahead of the next global cycle.
After the event, he spoke about resilience. He highlighted his return from injury. He also said he trusted his technique. Moreover, he focused on clean jumps instead of chasing one huge distance.
The competition at a glance
- Gold: Tajay Gayle (Jamaica) – 8.15m
- Silver: Murali Sreeshankar (India) – 8.09m
- Bronze: Decided among other finalists, with several athletes clearing 8.00m in a tight field.
Sreeshankar’s journey is inspiring. He went from a promising youngster in Birmingham to a hardened, repeat CWG medallist in Glasgow. This sets a new benchmark for Indian long jump.
