Zurich Diamond League 2023: Murali Sreeshankar finishes fifth, qualifies for Diamond League finals

The long jumper has 14 Diamond League points to his credit

After a disappointing performance at the World Athletics Championships 2023, Murali Sreeshankar managed a credible jump of 7.99m with a tailwind of - 0.4m/s to finish fifth at the Zurich Diamond League 2023. With the conditions not in favour of the athletes, Sreeshankar made a decent effort to finish in the top-5 and also secure a place in the Diamond League finals. The performance helped the former national record holder gain four crucial Diamond League points, with the total tallying to 14 points.

Sreeshankar along with Neeraj Chopra qualified for the Diamond League finals scheduled to be held in Eugene from 16-17 September.

This is the Commonwealth Games 2022 silver medalist's third top-5 finish at the Diamond League. Sreeshankar's best Diamond League run came in Paris, where he finished third with a best jump of 8.09m. In his second Diamond League competition this year, he finished a credible fifth with a best jump of 7.88m

In Zurich, in a strong field comprising of world champion Miltiadas Tentogolu, 2019 world champion Tajay Gayle, 2022 World Championships bronze medalist Simon Ehammer, India's Sreeshankar managed a consistent series of 7.99m, 7.96m, X, 7.96m, 7.93m.

The Tokyo Olympics champion Tentogolu finished first with a jump of 8.20m. Jamaica's Tajay Gayle finished second with a jump of 8.06m, followed Lawson Jarrison of the USA at third third with a best effort of 8.05m.

After winning the silver medal at the Asian Championships in July, Murali Sreeshankar has failed to breach the 8m mark at two consecutive events. The athlete should look to regain full form and fitness ahead of the Diamond League finals which will also prepare him for the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games.