Nagoya, September 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India’s Murali Sreeshankar produced a determined performance to clinch the silver medal in the men’s long jump at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, overcoming severe pain from an ankle injury to record a best effort of 8.07 metres.
Sreeshankar, the reigning Asian Games silver medallist, registered his best jump on his second attempt to move into second place, a position he maintained until the end of the competition. China’s Shi Yuhao claimed gold with a season-best jump of 8.17 metres, while Uzbekistan’s Anvar Anvarov secured bronze with 8.06 metres.
The Indian athlete appeared to be in contention for a medal until the fourth round, when he suffered a heavy landing after slipping off the mark. He immediately showed signs of discomfort and removed his spikes before medical staff advised him to have his ankle assessed.
However, Sreeshankar was determined to remain in the competition. Despite the pain, he stayed on the field but opted to skip his fifth attempt. With the athletes behind him unable to surpass his 8.07-metre mark, he had secured at least silver heading into the final round.
Sreeshankar subsequently decided against taking his sixth jump, bringing his competition to an end. He was later seen limping as he congratulated Shi and Anvarov after the medal positions were confirmed.
His 8.07-metre effort was his first jump beyond the eight-metre mark at these Asian Games and proved sufficient to keep him ahead of a closely contested chasing group. Anvarov finished just one centimetre behind the Indian, while Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yu-tang placed fourth with a season-best 8.05 metres.
Japan’s Riku Ito and Yuki Hashioka finished fifth and sixth with jumps of 7.97 metres and 7.94 metres, respectively. India’s other competitor, David Solomon Patturaj, finished seventh with 7.70 metres.
The silver medal adds to Sreeshankar’s Asian Games record, following his second-place finish in the event at the previous edition. His performance in Nagoya came under challenging circumstances, as the ankle injury visibly restricted him during the closing rounds.
Shi’s 8.17-metre jump established a clear lead in the final, while Sreeshankar’s 8.07-metre effort held firm against the late challenge from Anvarov and Lin.
FOLLOW NOW
