Murali Sreeshankar reacts after winning silver at Commonwealth Games 2026
Historic win was not enough for Murali Sreeshankar
Murali Sreeshankar made Commonwealth Games history on Wednesday, July 29, by becoming the first Indian athlete to win two men’s long jump medals in the tournament. The 27-year-old finished second and claimed silver in the men’s long jump event at the Glasgow Games, registering a best leap of 8.09m.
Sreeshankar, who also clinched a silver medal at the Birmingham 2022 Games, has now won back-to-back CWG medals, etching his name in Indian sports history. However, the Kerala native claimed that, while he is “happy”, he was “not satisfied” with a second-placed finish.
Related: Commonwealth Games 2026: India’s updated schedule for Day 7 (July 30)
“We always aim for a gold medal performance. I am happy with the silver but not satisfied because this was not the jump I was expecting,” Sreeshankar told ANI after the event. “I wanted to have a big jump and win the gold medal for my country, redeem the silver medal from Birmingham (Games).”
“But I’m happy, I’m being grateful, just being here representing my country at the Commonwealth Games, because I know what I’ve been through in the last two years,” he added.
“Thanks to God, thanks to everyone who supported me – my coach, my father, my family, my team. I just want to be thankful to everyone. I am just being grounded, and I want to keep working every single day and keep winning for my country.”
Related: Commonwealth Games 2026: India’s medal tally after Day 6, 29th July
Murali Sreeshankar’s injury comeback
Wednesday’s silver medal was a special moment for Sreeshankar, who has completed a brilliant comeback from a career-threatening patellar tendon injury that he suffered in April 2024. This forced him to withdraw from the Paris 2024 Olympics and spend a lengthy time on the sidelines.
Sreeshankar, a silver medallist in the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, dedicated his Glasgow Games medal to all those who supported him during his injury days, naming his coach, father, and others.
“I don’t have one person whom I can dedicate (my medal) to, but everyone who supported me during my tough times, this medal goes to them,” he said.
“When I had a patellar tendon rupture in 2024 before the Paris Olympic Games after qualifying, it was probably a career-ending injury. The career in front of me was a blank picture, but AFI, SAI, and TOPS stood beside me. They believed in me more than I believed in myself, and here I am, after two years, winning a silver medal for my country again.”
Apart from Sreeshankar, another Indian athlete, Lokesh, participated in the long jump event and finished fifth with a best jump of 7.97m.
Following this impressive performance in the long jump, India sealed a historic one-two finish in the men’s 100m T47 para athletics event. Dilip Gavit became the third Indian sportsperson to clinch gold at the CWG 2026, while Mohammed Basil Morssinganakath bagged bronze in the same event.
Where and when will Commonwealth Games 2026 take place?
The Commonwealth Games 2026 will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2.
What did Murali Sreeshankar win at Commonwealth Games 2026?
He won silver in the men’s long jump with a best leap of 8.09m, becoming the first Indian athlete to win two CWG long jump medals after also clinching silver at Birmingham 2022.
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Sushruta has spent over two years covering football, with a particular focus on Indian and international competitions. Alongside football, he has reported on a variety of sports, bringing curiosity and perspective to every story. When he’s not following the action, he can usually be found binge-watching movies or getting lost in a good book.