Seasoned long jumper M. Sreeshankar values his second-best career effort of 8.38m, achieved despite a wet track and rotating wind at the National inter-State athletics at the Kalinga Stadium here.

Sreeshankar emphasised that this was his best performance since undergoing a knee surgery in April 2024. Despite a swollen knee and a troublesome ankle, he has shown strong consistency, clearing 8m in all five competitions since April this season.

Retaining the enthusiasm

The 27-year-old retains the enthusiasm he had eight years ago when he first crossed the 8m mark as a teenager. “I was just counting. This was my 60th jump above 8m. The kind of consistency I’ve put in, especially after the career-threatening injury I had in 2024, I was eagerly awaiting a good jump,” said Sreeshankar, whose personal best stands at 8.41m.

“After being told that I won’t be able to jump again, it really feels special. I’m grateful for whatever I’m doing.

“Still, my knees are not 100%, they’re swollen. There are three ankle screws. I need to ice it regularly, do a soft tissue massage and work on my mechanics. I’ve gotten used to the new kind of training schedules.”

He thanked his father-cum-coach S. Murali and strength-and-conditioning coach Wayne Lombard for their solid support.

Sreeshankar is delighted with the depth in Indian long jump. “Before we left our room today, I told my dad that the competition is going to be above 8.30m for sure,” revealed Sreeshankar, who is now seventh among the world’s leading jumpers this season.

Shahnavaz Khan backed Sreeshankar’s prediction, leaping 8.30m to place second and move to 11th in the world. “There’re at least three-four people who are capable of that kind of jump. India has a wild start right now. We’ve four jumpers above 8.20m (in 2026).”

Inspiration

Aware of the challenges the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will present, Sreeshankar looks to elite global athletes for inspiration.

“We need to replicate what we do here, just there. Miltiadis Tentoglou and others, irrespective of the conditions, don’t complain. Adaptation is something that we’re missing. Once that comes, LA 2028 should be really interesting,” said Sreeshankar.

The unheralded Sindhushree G. wrote her name in the record books with a shock win over Baranica Elangovan in the women’s pole vault and qualified for the Asian Games on the second day of the National inter-State athletics meet at the Kalinga Stadium here on Thursday.

The 25-year-old short statured Karnataka girl — who trained for two weeks with a borrowed pole from a fellow male athlete, who had purchased the equipment meant for women by mistake — relied on her endurance to thrive despite the humid conditions. She achieved the National mark of 4.25m ahead of Baranica, who couldn’t improve upon her previous mark of 4.23m.

“I do 30 jumps in training. I had enough endurance,” said Sindhushree, whose previous best was 4.00m in the Indian Athletics Series in Delhi in May.

Proudly holding a photo of her late father, R. Ganesh, who backed her to pursue athletics before his death in 2022, Sindhushree said, “I dedicate this to my father, who had dreamt of seeing me in India colours.”

Gowthami Jayaraman timed 2:04.17 to upset Pooja Ola and secure the women’s 800m crown.

Animesh Kujur (20.87) made the cut for the continental show-piece in men’s 200m heats before lowering it to 20.74 to win the final.

Harita Bhadra (23.55) and Unnathi Bollanda (23.65) also qualified in the women’s 200m heats before taking the top two places in the final, clocking 23.14 and 23.40 respectively.

Tejas Shirse (13.43) set a new meet record in men’s 110m hurdles. He earned an Asiad berth and bettered his previous meet record (13.54).

The results (finals): Men: 200m (Asiad Q mark 20.88): 1. Animesh Kujur (Odi) 20.74, 2. Dondapati M. Jayaram (Odi) 20.97, 3. Jishnu Prasad P.K. (Ker) 21.18; 800m (Asiad Q mark 1:48.80): 1. Mohammed Afsal P. (Ker) 1:48.57, 2. Krishan Kumar (Har) 1:48.82, 3. Prathamesh Deore (Mah) 1:48.89; Discus (Asiad Q mark 60.13m): 1. Kirpal Singh (Chd) 57.37m, 2. Nirbhay Singh (Har) 55.26m, 3. Arjun (Del) 54.90m; Decathlon (Asiad Q mark 7250): 1. Thowfeeq N. (Ker) 7276, 2. Kushal Mohite (Mah) 7251, 3. Jashbir Nayak (Odi) 7131; Half-marathon race walk (Asiad Q mark 1:25:37): 1. Servin Sebastian (TN) 1:31:49, 2. Sachin Bohra (Utk) 1:32:10, 3. Ningthoukongja (Man) 1:32:24.

Women: 200m (Asiad Q mark 23.70): 1. Harita Bhadra (Mah) 23.14, 2. Unnathi Bollanda (Kar) 23.40, 3. Prakruthi Roopa Rao (Kar) 23.58; 800m (Asiad Q mark 2:05.21): 1. Gowthami Jayaraman (TN) 2:04.17, 2. Pooja Ola (Har) 2:04..37, 3. Lili Das (WB) 2:04.59; Shot put (Asiad Q mark 16.25m): 1. Manpreet Kaur (Har) 17.75m, Krishna Jayasankar (TN) 16.96m, 3. Srishti Vig (Del) 16.96m; Pole vault (Asiad Q mark 4.10m): 1. Sindhushree G. (Kar) 4.25m (NR, Old 4.23m, Baranica Elangovan, 2026), 2. Baranica Elangovan (TN) 4.20m, 3. Nitika Akare (MP) 4.10m.

Even though Gulveer Singh clocked 13:52.92, well outside the Asian Games qualifying mark of 13:39.18, to win the men’s 5,000m at the National inter-State athletics meet at the Kalinga Stadium here on Wednesday, he may still stand a chance of being picked for the 5,000m and 10,000m races.

Since the Athletics Federation of India selection committee will take the final decision, Gulveer has a good chance to get picked on the basis of his consistent performances.

The 28-year-old Gulveer, the 10,000m bronze medallist in the last Asiad and the 5,000m and 10,000m gold medallist in the Asian championships, had issues in acclimatising after landing here from a six-month training stint in the USA.

“I used to wake up at 2 o’clock in the night. I have gotten used to it (the time zone), about 50 per cent now,” said Gulveer after finishing his first race in India this season.

“I am not satisfied with the time. It’s hot. The track is new, it’s not gripping well and is bouncy.”

Gulveer, the National record holder in 5,000m and 10,000m, wants to retain his focus on his training, despite the pressure of expectations, and follow his coach Scott Simmons’ advice. 

“I have to take pressure. We are doing our best. God knows what will happen in the future. I am focusing on my training. We are not thinking too much,” said Gulveer, who is eyeing a good time in the 1,500m in an attempt to make his finishes faster. He is focusing on his speed work after a disappointing outing in the Tokyo World Championships.

While planning to compete in two major events, the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, this season, Gulveer relies on Simmons. “I communicate with my coach after the events. He will decide how to go about it,” said Gulveer.