Report: Murali Sreeshankar pulls out of Diamond League Finals to focus on Asian Games

The long jumper is one of only three Indians to finish in the top three in a Diamond League meet.

Murali Sreeshankar has reportedly pulled out of next week's Diamond League Finals 2023 in Eugene to focus on the upcoming Asian Games, which will take place in Hangzhou, China from September 23. Sreeshankar had qualified for the Diamond League Finals 2023 after finishing in the top six of the qualification rankings, making him the first-ever Indian long jumper to do so.

According to a report in The Hindu, Sreeshankar has decided to skip the Diamond League Finals, which will be held in Eugene on September 16-17. Sreeshankar, who finished third in men's long jump to make the cut, has his focus set on the upcoming Asian Games and will, therefore, not travel to the USA.

“I have my event on September 29 (qualification round) and October 1 (final) at the Asian Games. If I go to the US travelling some 15 hours, compete for a day and then fly back to India and then travel again to China for the Asiad, that will be too much for my body," he told the publication.

“...So I decided not to do the Diamond League Final. There is a 12-day gap between the Diamond Final and the Asian Games. That will be too hectic, and the Asiad long jump competition will also be a strong one too."

Sreeshankar, who has already secured qualification for the Paris Olympics, will now put all his effort into the Asian Games and would want to clinch the gold medal. His main competition will be 2022 World Champion Wang Jianan of China and with the Asian Games happening in China, it will be a tough task to beat the home favourite.

He last competed in the Wetklasse meet in Zurich where Sreeshankar finished fifth with 7.99m jump. Before that he took part in the World Athletics Championships where Sreeshankar had a disappointing outing as he bowed out from the qualification round after a best jump of 7.74m — far from his personal best of 8.41m.

With Sreeshankar's withdrawal, Neeraj Chopra and Avinash Sable will be the only two Indians who will participate in the Diamond League finals at Eugene, USA.

Murali Sreeshankar's performance this year

Indian Grand Prix - 7.94 M

MVA HP #1, CVEATC, Chula Vista, USA - 8.29 M

International Jumping Meeting, Greece - 8.18 M

Paris Diamond League - 8.09 M

Indian Championships Q - 8.41 M

Indian Championships Final - 8.29 M

Lausanne Diamond League - 7.88 M

Asian Championships - 8.37 M

World Championships - 7.74 M

Zurich Diamond League - 7.99 M