Murali Sreeshankar announced his return in spectacular fashion at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships 2026, producing a sensational 8.38m leap to win the men’s long jump title and secure qualification for the upcoming Asian Games.

Competing at one of India’s most important domestic meets, Sreeshankar delivered when it mattered most. His winning jump of 8.38m not only earned him the national title but also reaffirmed his place among the country’s greatest long jumpers. The effort stands as India’s third-best long jump of all time and ranks as the second-best jump of his career, highlighting the significance of his performance.

The mark also carries major international importance. Sreeshankar’s 8.38m leap is currently the best performance in Asia this season and the ninth-best mark in the world this season, placing him among the leading long jumpers on the global stage. Just as importantly, the jump comfortably surpassed the Asian Games qualification standard, ensuring his place among India’s top contenders for the continental event.

The performance marks a memorable comeback for the accomplished long jumper, who once again demonstrated his ability to deliver under pressure. Producing one of the finest jumps of his career at a crucial stage of the season reflects both his consistency and competitive temperament.

The Interstate Championships have witnessed several outstanding performances this year, but Sreeshankar’s 8.38m effort undoubtedly ranks among the highlights of the competition. Beyond securing the national title, the jump reinforces India’s growing stature in the horizontal jumps and provides a significant boost ahead of the Asian Games.

With the Asian Games approaching, Sreeshankar’s return to top form could not have come at a better time. By producing the best jump in Asia this season and one of the world’s leading performances, he has sent a clear message that he is once again ready to challenge at the highest level.

It was a comeback worthy of one of India’s finest long jumpers, and a performance that has reignited excitement ahead of the international season.

Indian high jump has a new record holder.

Sarvesh Kushare produced the performance of his career at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships, clearing 2.31 metres on his third attempt to set a new Indian national record in the men’s high jump.

The Maharashtra athlete eclipsed the previous national record of 2.29m, held by Tejaswin Shankar, by two centimetres, marking one of the biggest breakthroughs in Indian track and field this season.

The record-breaking clearance was even more remarkable considering Kushare’s previous personal best stood at 2.28m. Faced with the bar at 2.31m after successfully negotiating the earlier heights, he rose to the occasion, producing a flawless clearance on his final attempt to etch his name into the record books.

The moment sparked jubilant celebrations as Kushare realised he had become the highest-ever jumper in Indian athletics history.

The achievement is the culmination of years of steady progress for the 30-year-old, who has represented India at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and World Championships. Long regarded as one of the country’s most consistent high jumpers, Kushare had repeatedly come close to rewriting the national record before finally breaking through in spectacular fashion.

The previous mark of 2.29m, set by Tejaswin Shankar, had stood as the benchmark for Indian high jumping. Kushare has now taken the event to a new level, becoming the first Indian to clear 2.30 metres and beyond in competition.

The timing of the performance could hardly have been better. With the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games fast approaching, the new national record sends a strong message that Indian high jumping is entering a new phase, with Kushare carrying outstanding form into the biggest competitions of the year.

Beyond the record itself, the performance is another encouraging sign for Indian athletics, which has witnessed a series of national records and Asian Games qualification marks during the Inter-State Championships.

On a memorable evening in Bhubaneswar, however, one performance stood above the rest.

2.31 metres.

A new national record.

A new benchmark for Indian high jump.

And a historic leap by Sarvesh Kushare.

 

Karnataka’s Sindhushree G produced a career-defining performance at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships 2026, rewriting the women’s pole vault national record with a sensational clearance of 4.25m.

The 25-year-old athlete delivered the standout performance during the competition, surpassing her previous personal best of 4.00m by an impressive 25 centimeters. The mark not only established a new national record but also secured her qualification for the upcoming Asian Games.

Sindhushree’s achievement carries additional significance on the continental stage. Her clearance of 4.25m currently ranks as the fifth-best performance in Asia this season, underlining her growing stature among the continent’s leading pole vaulters.

The emotional moment was made even more special by the athlete’s heartfelt tribute to her late father. Reflecting on her record-breaking jump, Sindhushree said, “When I cleared the height, I knew my father was supporting me from heaven.” The statement captured the personal significance of the achievement and added a touching dimension to one of the championship’s most memorable performances.

Competing against a strong field, Sindhushree displayed exceptional composure and confidence throughout the event. Her successful clearance at 4.25m represented not only a national milestone but also a breakthrough moment in her own athletic journey. The substantial improvement from her previous best demonstrates the progress she has made and signals the potential for even greater heights in the future.

With the new national record, Asian Games qualification secured, and a place among Asia’s top performers this season, Sindhushree has firmly established herself as one of India’s premier field-event athletes. Her achievement is another significant boost for Indian athletics and highlights the growing strength of pole vaulting in the country.

As preparations begin for future international competitions, Sindhushree G’s historic performance at the Interstate Championships will be remembered as a landmark moment in Indian women’s pole vault history.

Indian pole vault sensation Dev Meena continued his remarkable rise by breaking the men’s national record once again at the 65th Interstate Athletics Championships 2026, clearing 5.46 m to set a new Indian mark.

The performance not only earned Meena another national record but also secured the Asian Games 2026 qualification standard, further cementing his status as one of India’s most exciting field event athletes.

This latest achievement marks Meena’s second consecutive national record-breaking performance, highlighting his rapid progression in the event. Even more remarkably, it is the fifth time the Indian men’s pole vault national record has been improved in less than two years, reflecting the unprecedented growth of the discipline in the country.

Meena’s consistent record-breaking performances have transformed the landscape of Indian pole vaulting. With every competition, the young vaulter continues to push the boundaries of what was once considered possible in Indian athletics.

His 5.46m clearance adds another chapter to what has become a genuine pole vault revolution in India.

For now, the spotlight firmly belongs to Dev Meena, who has once again rewritten the national record books and reaffirmed his position as India’s leading pole vaulter.

India’s top pole vaulters will be in action today at 16:30 IST at the Interstate Athletics Championships 2026, with the Asian Games qualification mark on the line.

Elite Line-up:

1⃣ Dev Meena – 5.45m (NR)

2⃣ Kuldeep Yadav – 5.45m (NR)

3⃣ Reegan Ganesh – 5.35m

4⃣ M Gowtham – 5.20m.

In their last competition, both Dev Meena and Kuldeep Yadav broke the national record and now jointly hold it at 5.45m.

The men’s pole vault national record has been improved four times since last season, rising from 5.31m to 5.45m — a remarkable leap for the event in India.

The Asian Games qualification standard also stands at 5.45m, meaning athletes will need to match or better that mark here to secure their ticket to the Games.

What are your predictions?

Can we witness another national record today?

Women’s Triple Jump – 17:55 IST India’s elite women’s triple jumpers will go head-to-head today at the ongoing Interstate Athletics Championships 2026.

1⃣ Niharika Vashist: Fed Cup champion 2026

• Has produced Country’s best jump this season, 13.64m (PB).

• Moved to No. 5 on India’s all-time list.

2⃣ Asha Ilango:  Opened her season with a PB of 13.52m.

• Jumped 13.67m at the Tamil Nadu State Championships (unofficial).

• Registered 13.57m to win Indian Series–8 in her last competition.

3⃣ Bhairabi Roy: • Won silver at the Fed Cup with a personal best of 13.28m.

4⃣ Mallala Anusha: • India’s Indoor Champion.

• Fed Cup bronze medallist with a season best of 13.28m.

The Asian Games qualification standard stands at 13.34m.  Asha Ilango and Niharika Vashist have already breached the mark this season. However, they will need to achieve it again here to secure qualification.

Asian Games silver medallist Ancy Sojan will miss the Indian Athletics Series–9, which is set to serve as the final selection meet for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

The 25-Year-old showed sensational form at the Federation Cup winning gold, shattering the meet record registering her lifetime best jump of 6.75m which is India’s all-time 3rd best distance achieved by Indian Women After National record distance if 6.84m by Anju Bobby George 2004, 6.76m by Shaili Singh in 2023.

At fed cup Ancy missed the Commonwealth Games qualification of 6.84m by just 9cm, after AFI announced that Indian Series-9 will also be act as the final selection competition a hope raised maybe she can achieved the mark here but the Asian games silver medallist has decided to instead skip the event which means skipping the CWG 2026.
Replying to nnis’s message Ancy confirms she will be skipping the Indian Series – 9 and will be preparing for the Interstate which will be the Final selection trials for Asian games.

BUT WHY SKIPPING TH CWG 2026!!

To qualify for the Commonwealth Games 2026, Ancy will have to jump 6.84 m (NR) for which she will need to peak again, having already peaked her performance at the Fed Cup with a jump of 6.75 m. Peaking again just to qualify could will affect her performance at the Interstate and can affect her preparation for the Asian Games.

At Commonwealth game last edition Nigeria’s Ese Brume clinched gold in Women’s Long jump with the best leap of 7m, while Australia’s Brooke Buschkuehl and Ghana’s Deborah Acquah take Silver and Bronze with 6.95m and 6.94m respectively.

While at Asian games last edition:

Shiqi Xiong – 6.73m, Ancy Sojan – 6.63m and Nga Yan “Tiffany” Yue with 6.50m, all 3 registered the lifetime best mark.
Looking at Ancy’s current form she can surely upgrade her last edition Silver to gold, peaking 4 times in 4 months can be really tough and increase the risk of injury.

Indian long jumper Shaili Singh added another international medal to her growing collection, clinching gold in the women’s long jump at the New Taipei City Athletics Open 2026 with a best effort of 6.24m.

The 21-year-old emerged victorious despite not producing her best form of the season. Shaili’s winning mark came in the second round, and none of her competitors were able to surpass it as she secured the top spot on the podium.

Her series read: 6.03m, 6.24m, 6.23m, X, X, 6.10m, highlighting a consistent competition despite a couple of fouls in the latter stages.

While the gold medal will be a welcome boost, Shaili has already demonstrated significantly better form this season. Just weeks ago at the Federation Cup 2026, she claimed silver with a season’s best jump of 6.58m, a mark that placed her among the leading long jumpers in Asia this year.

Her personal best of 6.76m, achieved in 2023, remains one of the best performances by an Indian woman in recent years and underlines the potential many believe she is yet to fully realize.

Shaili first shot to prominence as a teenager when she won silver at the World U20 Athletics Championships in Nairobi in 2021. Coached by legendary long jumper and Olympic medalist Anju Bobby George, she quickly emerged as one of India’s brightest field-event prospects. Her silver medal in Nairobi came behind Serbia’s Adriana Vilagoš and marked one of the finest performances by an Indian jumper at a global age-group championship.

Over the past few seasons, Shaili has established herself as one of India’s leading long jumpers, regularly competing alongside national record holder Ancy Sojan and helping raise the standard of women’s horizontal jumps in the country.

The victory in New Taipei City may not have featured the distances Shaili is capable of producing, but it demonstrated another important quality—the ability to win even when not at her very best. Championship competitions often demand consistency rather than personal bests, and the Indian jumper delivered exactly that.

With the Asian Games cycle gathering momentum, Shaili will be encouraged by the fact that she remains capable of challenging for medals while operating below her peak level. The next objective will be to rediscover the form that saw her jump 6.58m earlier this season and move closer to her personal best of 6.76m.

The men’s javelin throw at the Rome Diamond League brings together Olympic medallists, world champions, former Diamond League winners and emerging talents from across the globe. With multiple athletes in the field capable of throwing beyond 85 metres, fans can expect a high-quality contest featuring some of the biggest names in the event. Here’s a closer look at the athletes competing in Rome.

1. Rumesh Tharanga (Sri Lanka)

Rumesh Tharanga has emerged as one of Sri Lanka’s leading field event athletes and continues to raise the profile of javelin throwing in the country. The Sri Lankan has steadily improved over recent seasons, producing several national-level performances that have earned him opportunities on the international circuit. Known for his strong run-up and aggressive throwing style, Tharanga represents a growing generation of South Asian field athletes aiming to challenge the sport’s traditional powerhouses. Competing in Rome offers valuable exposure and an opportunity to test himself against Olympic champions, world medallists and some of the finest throwers in the world.

2. Sachin Yadav (India)

Sachin Yadav has rapidly become one of India’s most promising javelin throwers. The young athlete announced himself with a series of impressive performances on the domestic circuit and has continued to improve against international competition. Standing out for his physical strength and technically sound throwing action, Yadav is widely regarded as one of the country’s leading prospects behind Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra. Rome represents one of the biggest stages of his career so far. A strong performance against a world-class field would further underline India’s growing depth in the men’s javelin and boost Yadav’s confidence heading into future championships.

3. Anderson Peters (Grenada)

Anderson Peters remains one of the biggest names in global javelin throwing. The Grenadian is a two-time world champion and one of only a handful of athletes in history to throw beyond 90 metres multiple times. Renowned for his explosive power and consistency, Peters has spent several years competing at the highest level of the sport. His ability to deliver massive throws under pressure makes him a favourite whenever he enters a competition. Rome provides another opportunity for the former world champion to remind the athletics world why he remains one of the most feared competitors in men’s javelin.

4. Thomas Röhler (Germany)

Thomas Röhler is one of the most accomplished javelin throwers of the modern era. The German star won Olympic gold at Rio 2016 and owns a personal best of 93.90m, one of the longest throws ever recorded. Throughout his career, Röhler has been admired for his technical precision and ability to peak for major championships. Injuries have presented challenges in recent years, but his experience and pedigree remain unmatched. Every appearance by the Olympic champion generates excitement among athletics fans, and Rome offers another chance for him to demonstrate the quality that made him one of the event’s all-time greats.

5. Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad and Tobago)

Keshorn Walcott made history when he became Olympic champion at London 2012, delivering one of the most memorable performances in javelin history. The Trinidad and Tobago athlete remains one of the sport’s most respected figures and continues to compete against younger rivals more than a decade after his Olympic triumph. Walcott’s longevity is a testament to his dedication and technical excellence. Even after years on the international circuit, he remains capable of producing big throws on important occasions. Rome gives fans another opportunity to watch one of the event’s most iconic athletes in action.

6. Curtis Thompson (United States)

Curtis Thompson has become the leading figure in American men’s javelin throwing. The US record holder has consistently pushed the boundaries of the event in a country where javelin traditionally receives less attention than track disciplines. Thompson’s powerful technique and competitive mindset have helped him establish himself as a regular contender on the international circuit. His performances in recent years have demonstrated that he can challenge many of the world’s top throwers. A strong outing in Rome would further strengthen his position among the leading athletes heading into the remainder of the season.

7. Jakub Vadlejch (Czech Republic)

Jakub Vadlejch is one of the most consistent javelin throwers of his generation. The Czech athlete has won Olympic and World Championship medals and has spent years competing at the highest level. Known for his calm demeanour and ability to produce big throws when it matters most, Vadlejch is a proven championship performer. His technical efficiency and reliability have made him a fixture among the world’s elite. Rome presents another opportunity for the Czech star to add to his impressive record and challenge for victory against a field packed with accomplished competitors.

8. Dawid Wegner (Poland)

Dawid Wegner represents the next generation of Polish javelin talent. The young thrower has steadily climbed the European rankings through a combination of strong performances and continued technical development. While still building experience at the highest level, Wegner has shown glimpses of significant potential and has begun competing more regularly against elite opposition. Events like the Rome Diamond League are invaluable for his progression, providing the chance to learn from some of the sport’s most accomplished athletes while testing his abilities in a world-class environment.

9. Julius Yego (Kenya)

Julius Yego’s story remains one of the most inspiring in athletics. Nicknamed the “YouTube Man” after teaching himself the event through online videos, Yego went on to become world champion and an Olympic silver medallist. The Kenyan transformed perceptions of African participation in throwing events and inspired a generation of athletes across the continent. Even years after his biggest successes, Yego continues to compete with passion and determination. His presence in Rome adds a unique dimension to the field and provides fans with the opportunity to watch one of athletics’ most remarkable success stories.

10. Giovanni Frattini (Italy)

Giovanni Frattini will carry home hopes into the competition as Italy’s representative in the field. The young Italian thrower continues to gain valuable experience against international opposition and has shown encouraging progress in recent seasons. Competing at the Stadio Olimpico in front of a supportive crowd will provide additional motivation as he takes on some of the biggest names in world javelin. While facing Olympic champions and world medallists is a significant challenge, the experience gained in Rome could prove crucial in Frattini’s continued development as an international-level athlete.

Indian long jump received a timely boost ahead of the upcoming competition season as national record holder Jeswin Aldrin and Federation Cup champion David P both cleared the coveted 8-metre mark at the Tamil Nadu State Trials.

Jeswin produced a best jump of 8.03m to secure the men’s long jump title, while David finished a close second with 8.02m. Although the performances will not count as official marks, they serve as an encouraging sign for two of India’s leading horizontal jumpers.

For Jeswin, the result is particularly significant. The 23-year-old has endured a difficult period over the past two years, battling injuries that disrupted his momentum after his breakthrough 2023 season. He underwent knee surgery and spent much of 2024 and early 2025 working his way back to full fitness.

His jump of 8.03m marks the first time he has crossed the 8-metre barrier in competition since his peak form, providing a major confidence boost as he looks to return to the international stage.

Jeswin remains India’s national record holder with a leap of 8.42m, achieved at the Indian Open Jumps Competition in Bellary in 2023. That mark not only broke the long-standing national record but also briefly placed him among the world’s leading long jumpers that season. He went on to represent India at both the World Championships and the Paris Olympics, though injuries prevented him from reproducing his best form on the global stage.

Meanwhile, David P continued his impressive rise. The Federation Cup 2025 champion demonstrated remarkable consistency, registering 8.02m in his third attempt before backing it up with another 8.00m jump in the sixth and final round.

The fact that two Indian jumpers exceeded 8 metres on the same day highlights the growing depth in the men’s long jump event. While the marks will not be officially recognized, they indicate that both athletes are moving in the right direction ahead of the national season and international qualification events.

With Jeswin rediscovering his rhythm and David continuing to build momentum, Indian athletics could have multiple contenders capable of challenging the 8-metre barrier consistently in the months ahead.