Glasgow, July 30 -- Murali Sreeshankar warmed the hearts of Indian athletics fans on a chilly Wednesday night, soaring to 8.09 metres to claim the Commonwealth Games long jump silver medal.
Written off by many after a career-threatening knee injury ruled him out of the Paris 2024 Olympics, Sreeshankar scripted a stirring comeback built on resilience, self-belief and unwavering determination. Behind the smile was the pain of a long rehabilitation and the desire to prove his doubters wrong.
The 27-year-old, affectionately known as 'Sree', was a picture of focus throughout the competition. Before every attempt, he meticulously rehearsed his run-up, repeating the same routine with remarkable precision. It was not mere repetition but a carefully choreographed ritual that culminated in his best jump of 8.09m.
The conditions were far from ideal. With temperatures dipping and a biting wind sweeping across the arena, Sreeshankar-who hails from the warm climate of Kerala's Palakkad district-kept himself wrapped up in a monkey cap between jumps to stay warm. Yet he refused to let the weather become an excuse.
Once the silver was secured, an emotional Sreeshankar embraced his father and coach, S. Murali, in the stands. The moment symbolised years of sacrifice and perseverance. With support from the Indian Olympic Association, Murali had travelled to Glasgow to coach his son, and together they celebrated another Commonwealth silver after Birmingham 2022.
"This feels special, actually. Probably I would cherish this for one or two days, and then I have to get back to work. But this silver medal really means a lot to me. For everyone who supported me during the tough times, and everyone who said that I won't be jumping again in my career, this medal is for you," Sreeshankar said.
He thanked God, his supporters and the country while making it clear that his journey is far from over.
"I am thankful to everyone who supported me, thankful to my country. A better performance has to follow. I have to really up my game for the Asian Games to win a medal for my country," he added.
Sreeshankar also underlined the importance of adapting to difficult conditions.
"Obviously, the conditions were cold and windy, but it is applicable to everyone. You can't blame the weather. You have to adapt to the conditions and gain an edge over your fellow competitors. That's what I did."
He also credited fellow Indian athletes for helping him adjust to the unfamiliar weather. "To be very honest, I'm really happy with how the athletes are helping me. I was talking to Sarvesh and TJ (Tejaswin Shankar) over dinner about how to cope with the cold since we're used to India's heat. All those inputs helped."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.