Told he'd never jump again, Murali Sreeshankar gifts critics his 2nd CWG medal

Everyone thought Murali Sreeshankar's career was over in 2024, when he completely tore his patella tendon. Many told him that to his face as well. But here we are, two years later, with a silver medal hanging around his neck at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow.Sreeshankar returned to the Commonwealth Games podium on Wednesday, producing a best jump of 8.09m to win his second successive silver medal in the men's long jump. Jamaica's Tajay Gayle took gold with 8.15m, while Scotland's Stephen Mackenzie finished third with 8.08m. India's Lokesh Sathyanathan was fifth with a best effort of 7.97m.For Sreeshankar, though, the medal was about far more than defending the silver he had won in Birmingham four years ago."Everyone who said that I would not be jumping ever again in my career. This medal is for you," Sreeshankar said after the competition. The words carried two years of doubt behind it. "Everyone who said I won't be jumping again ever in my career, this medal is for you," said Sreeshankar after winning silver at the CWG 2026.Murali Sreeshankar clinched the silver medal in the men's long jump with a best leap of 8.09m, securing his second consecutive pic.twitter.com/QdhjcfoskK— nnis Sports (@nnis_sports) July 29, 2026THE INJURY THAT CHANGED EVERYTHINGSreeshankar had been one of India's brightest hopes for the Paris Olympics. He had won silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, followed it with another silver at the 2023 Asian Games and was steadily building towards the biggest opportunity of his career. Then, in April 2024, a seemingly routine jump during training in Palakkad changed everything.His patellar tendon, the structure connecting the kneecap to the shin bone, ruptured completely. It was a devastating injury for a long jumper, far more serious than the inflammation commonly associated with jumper's knee. A part of the bone also chipped off.Paris disappeared almost immediately. So did, for a while, the certainty that Sreeshankar would ever be able to jump competitively again."It was a combined effort from a lot of people to make the impossible, possible. If you have a patella tendon rupture, like completely torn off. Patella tendon is the bread and butter for every jumper. That is why it is called the jumper's knee. Every jumper has an inflammation there. That's what happened to TJ as well. But mine was torn off. The doctors initially told me that my career was done. But the surgery went well, the rehab went well, and here I am," he said.The surgery was carried out in Qatar, followed by a long rehabilitation process. Sreeshankar eventually returned to competition after a 21-month layoff, gradually rebuilding the confidence and explosiveness required to do the one thing he had been told he might never do again: jump.There was no shortcut back."There was a lot of self doubt. Many doctors believed my career was over. People hardly make it back with such an injury. Yet when I went to Qatar for my surgery, they were confident of stitching me back and get me on track in 6 months, but also said it all depended on my body thereafter," Sreeshankar had said ahead of the Commonwealth Games.By the time he arrived in Glasgow, the question was no longer whether Sreeshankar could jump again. It was whether he could compete for medals.BACK ON THE COMMONWEALTH PODIUMThe answer came quickly. Sreeshankar entered the Glasgow final with a solitary jump over 8m, and gaining direct qualification. He looked comfortable from the start, opening with 8.03m and immediately putting himself into medal contention.The Indian was animated throughout the competition, urging the crowd to get behind him after each attempt. His father and coach S Murali watched from the stands as their son continued to build momentum.Then came the second round. Sreeshankar produced 8.09m to move into the lead, edging ahead of both Gayle and Mackenzie. For a moment, the story seemed to be heading towards an even bigger ending.But Gayle was not finished. The Jamaican found his best jump in the fourth round, producing 8.15m to move ahead. Sreeshankar then had to respond, but his next two attempts were fouls.For all the joy of returning to the Commonwealth podium, Sreeshankar admitted that this silver did not feel quite like the one he won in Birmingham."Last time I was very happy winning the silver medal. This time I am not that happy, because I knew that I had a big jump in me. There was a very good jump that got fouled by the smallest of margins," he said.That frustration is perhaps the clearest sign that Sreeshankar is no longer simply happy to be back and he wants to win again.NEXT TARGET: ASIAN GAMESThe knee may not be what it was before the injury, and Sreeshankar knows that better than anyone."After every single competition I have to do some work with my knee to keep it balanced. It is not like what it was a few years back. I will take a day or two off and then start preparing for the Asian Games," he said.There is little time to celebrate. The Asian Games in Japan are next, and Sreeshankar knows the target will be higher there."I am just grateful to represent my country. Thank you to God almighty, thank you to the people that supported me. Better performances have to follow. I have to really up my game. I have jump really far to win a medal in Asian Games for my country," he said.Two years ago, Sreeshankar was watching the Paris Olympics from the sidelines, recovering from an injury that had threatened to end his career.Two years later, he is back on a Commonwealth Games podium.He has another silver medal around his neck, another major competition ahead of him and, most importantly, another jump left in him.The doctors said his career was done. Sreeshankar has spent the last two years making sure that he proves them otherwise.- EndsPublished By: Kingshuk KusariPublished On: Jul 30, 2026 11:52 IST