Murali Sreeshankar Secures Silver Medal in Long Jump at Asian Games 2026

Murali Sreeshankar has made headlines by winning a silver medal in the men's long jump at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya. This achievement marks his second consecutive silver at the event, following a strong performance despite facing an injury scare. His mother, K.S. Bijimol, watched anxiously from home, celebrating her son's success with tears of joy. Sreeshankar's journey in athletics includes multiple medals at prestigious competitions, making him a notable figure in Indian sports. Discover more about his inspiring story and the emotional moments shared with his family during this significant event.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 28, 2026, 23:00 IST

Murali Sreeshankar's Achievement at the Asian Games

Indian long jump athlete Murali Sreeshankar has added to the nation's athletics achievements by winning a silver medal in the men's final at the Asian Games 2026, held in Aichi-Nagoya on September 28.

Sreeshankar, who previously earned a silver medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Games, achieved his best jump of 8.07 meters, marking his second consecutive silver at this prestigious event. The gold medal was claimed by China's Shi Yuhao, who jumped 8.17 meters, improving from his bronze at the 2023 Asian Games.

In the qualification round, Sreeshankar secured his spot in the finals with a leap of 7.84 meters, finishing second in Group B, which allowed him to advance to the medal round.

Emotional Moments for Sreeshankar's Family

While Murali Sreeshankar competed at Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, his mother, K.S. Bijimol, anxiously watched from their home in Palakkad, Kerala. She was deeply invested in her son's performance, praying for his success amid concerns over a recent injury.

Accompanied by Palakkad MP V. K. Sreekandan and neighbors, Bijimol was seen in an emotional state as she celebrated her son's achievement. An exclusive video captured her tears of joy after Sreeshankar secured his silver medal with an impressive 8.07-meter jump.

"They said his leg got strained. It is the same leg that underwent surgery," Bijimol expressed, reflecting on her worries during the competition.

Injury Scare and Final Attempts

Earlier in the competition, Sreeshankar faced a scare when he landed awkwardly during his fourth jump, causing him visible pain and leading to his withdrawal from the final two attempts. Despite this setback, his earlier jump was sufficient to secure the silver medal, as no other competitors could surpass his mark.

After the event, Bijimol shared her relief, stating, "We were so upset when his leg got injured. Sreeshankar couldn't complete all attempts, but he gave us the silver medal. Even though he could only do three or four jumps, didn't we get the silver? We are happy."

Sreeshankar's Athletic Journey

In addition to his two silver medals at the Asian Games, Murali Sreeshankar has also won a silver at the 2023 Asian Championships and is a two-time silver medalist at the Commonwealth Games. He participated in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but missed the 2024 Paris Games due to a knee injury.