Indian long jumper and commonwealth games medallist Murali Shareeshankar has announced his return from the sidelines with a win at the 2023 Indian Grand Prix 3 at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
The youngster was competing for the first time since the National Games in October last year. Still, he managed to record the best leap of 7.94m on his last attempt. The 24-year-old had suffered a grade 2 hamstring injury and was out for a substantial time. However, he is happy now that he has returned to full fitness and was even happy with his effort at the Indian Grand Prix event.
“I had to start the season a bit late due to the injury I picked up during the National Games, but the training and preparations have been going great,” M Shreeshankar told in an interaction with The Bridge.
He highlighted that the wind played a major role in reducing his distance as it was blowing against the movement. So he shared that with the wind in his favour he can easily reach 8.20m with the same effort that he had put in for the best leap here at the Indian Grand Prix 3 in Kanteerava. Overall considering the circumstances and his return from injury the youngster was happy with his effort.
“Today’s performance was pretty much good. It did not come up to my expectations because of the wind. It (the wind) was like -2.8m/s; nullifying the effect of the wind it would have probably been an 8.20m jump. So, I am pretty happy with the effort,” he added.
Shreeshankar will look to rub his shoulders with the best in the world and that’s how he will improve. Hence, he is heading to Texas and will train there before moving to Europe and also making a few Diamond League appearances.
“I will be flying to the USA for a training camp day after tomorrow and will be spending some time there. From there we will head to Europe and will compete in some Diamond League meets too,” the prodigious athlete concluded.
Overall Murali Shreeshankar has the raw talent to be one of the best in the world in the long jump. HIs talent needs proper nurturing which will happen in USA and Europe when he will play more competitive events. There is a slight possibility of him doing well in Paris next year.
