Murali Sreeshankar was the first Indian athlete in the track & field category to have earned qualification for the forthcoming Paris Olympics. 

Now he is in Doha hospital for the rehab training. The silver medalist in the Hangzhou Asian Games 2022 got a sudden injury during warm-up training at his home under the observation of his father and coach S. Murali. Murali revealed while speaking over the phone, "He was doing warm-up training only, 5-6 meter jump. Suddenly he had a jerk on his right knee and fell.”

He continued, “We both were shocked at how he obtained such an injury from warm-up training. The doctors however could not explain the reason properly. He then had to undergo surgery and stayed in Doha for one month before returning to Ballari for rehab.”

The incident happened a week before the athlete's Cyprus trip to participate in the competition and attend training. 

Murali added that Sreeshankar was initially highly depressed. “It was natural. He was the first athlete in the track & field to have ensured a ticket for the Paris Olympics.”

Murali added, “But he never gave up psychologically. Despite lying on the bed he called up some of the world's great long jumpers like Marquis Dendy, Jarrion Lawson (USA), and Cuba's renowned long jumper Maykel Masso and talked to them to gain confidence."

Murali revealed that Sreeshankar received encouragement from all these renowned athletes. “Their advice was to shrug off the depression and reignite the determination and zeal looking forward to the future competitions. Amidst the three, Lawson had to undergo several severe injuries and he repeatedly returned to the track and won medals.” 

Sreeshankar has resumed warm-up training for the last 10 days. He is in Doha now for an advanced rehab program. According to plans so far, Sreeshankar is aiming for a comeback in the World Championship next year. 

"After the World Championship next year, we will have the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games in 2026. So, I have advised him to concentrate on the recovery program," added Murali.