Murali
Sreeshankar

Born in Kerala, Murali Sreeshankar grew up in an environment that fostered a love for athletics. His early exposure to sports was influenced by his father, Murali Sreeshankar Sr., a former triple jumper who represented Kerala at the national level. This familial connection imbued Murali with a passion for track and field events from a young age, setting the foundation for his future in long jump.

Despite showing promise, Murali’s initial years in athletics were marked by a lack of prominent infrastructure and coaching support at the grassroots level. Competing in a country where long jump had limited attention, he had to carve his own path with minimal resources. Early in his career, he experienced the challenge of balancing academics with his intense training schedules, often practicing on uneven surfaces and makeshift tracks in Kerala.

The defining moment came in 2018 during the National Inter-State Championships, where Murali soared to a jump beyond 8 meters, a breakthrough that instantly brought him into the national spotlight. This performance not only established him as India’s leading long jumper but also gave him the confidence to compete at international competitions. That leap shifted his trajectory, marking the start of consistent record-breaking attempts and national records.

Following his breakthrough, Murali progressively refined his technique under structured training programs and the guidance of his coach Renjith Maheshwary, himself a seasoned Indian long jumper. His focused participation in international meets including the World Athletics Championships and Asian Games demonstrated his rising stature. Consistency in clearing 8 meters and beyond brought him multiple national records and the top rank for India in long jump, setting new benchmarks for the event in the country.