Indian Athlete Murali Sreeshankar Undergoes Ankle Surgery in London
Indian long jumper Murali Sreeshankar has successfully undergone ankle surgery in London following an injury at the Asian Games.
London, October 14 (Daily Kiran) : Indian long jumper Murali Sreeshankar has undergone ankle surgery in London after sustaining an injury during the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya. The incident occurred on September 28 when he slipped on the take-off board in the men’s long jump final, resulting in ligament damage.
The 27-year-old athlete confirmed the surgery through a post on Instagram on October 14. He stated that the procedure was essential to stabilize his right ankle ahead of the 2027 World Championships in Beijing and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
In his post, Sreeshankar shared pictures with his doctor and coach, expressing his reluctance to undergo the surgery but acknowledging it was necessary. He wrote, “Although I didn’t want to go through this, I had no other option this time. On Tuesday, I had a minor surgery on my ankle at Fortius Clinic in London under the supervision of Dr. Peter D’Hughe. The surgery was deemed necessary after consultations and examinations to ensure my ankle remains stable and ready for the upcoming season.”
Sreeshankar faced this setback while hoping that rest and rehabilitation would suffice for recovery. The injury occurred on a rain-soaked track during the Asian Games final as he prepared for his fourth jump, causing his right ankle to twist. Despite not completing his last two jumps, he secured a silver medal with a leap of 8.07 meters. China’s Shi Yuhao won gold with a jump of 8.17 meters, while Uzbekistan’s Anvar Anvarov took bronze with 8.06 meters.
The decision for surgery was made after thorough medical consultations. Indian Minister of State Suresh Gopi announced that the central government would cover the full expenses for Sreeshankar’s surgery, treatment, and rehabilitation, ensuring he receives specialist care as he prepares for competition.
Beyond physical injuries, Sreeshankar has faced repeated interruptions in his career. When questioned about these recurring injuries, he admitted he had no definitive answers but emphasized his focus on moving forward rather than dwelling on circumstances.
He remarked, “Some of you might be wondering why this athlete keeps getting injured. Honestly, I don’t have an answer. I could blame the wet take-off board or perhaps my luck, but that won’t help me. Instead, I prefer to accept what happened and keep working towards improving myself.”
Despite his recent injury, Sreeshankar expressed confidence and determination. He reflected on past challenges and stated that the same spirit would keep him strong this time. “I know I have the unique strength to bounce back and the ‘Mamba Mentality.’ This mindset will help me through my rehabilitation,” he said.
Sreeshankar also thanked all the institutions that supported his treatment and recovery, expressing gratitude to the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), and the Reliance Foundation for Youth Sports.
