Murali Sreeshankar qualifies for Finals Men’s Long jump Event at WAC

Murali Sreeshankar becomes first male athlete in long jump to qualify for finals of World Athletics Championships.

Murali Sreeshankar became the first male long jumper to qualify for the finals of the World Athletics Championships while 3000m steeplechase athlete Avinash Sable advanced to the final as expected on the first day of competition here.

Sreeshankar, who finished second in the list of best performers of the season, jumped a full eight meters to finish second and seventh overall in the Group B qualification round.

Anju Bobby George was the first Indian to qualify for the World Championship long jump finals and also the first Indian to win a medal, having won a bronze medal at the 2003 edition in Paris.

Two other Indians Jesvin Aldrin (7.79m) and Mohammad Anees Yahia (7.73m) failed to qualify for the final round, finishing ninth and 11th respectively in Group A qualification.