Commonwealth Games: Sreeshankar defends silver in men's long jump; Gayle takes gold

Former world champion Tajay Gayle of Jamaica clinched the gold with a best jump of 8.15m, while local favourite Stephen Mackenzie grabbed the last spot on the podium with an 8.08m effort.

Published: July 30, 2026 02:10 am IST — Glasgow By K. Keerthivasan

Murali Sreeshankar celebrates after finishing second in the Men's Long Jump Final. Photo Credit: Reuters

Facing the formidable challenge of Jamaica’s Tajay Gayle — a three-time World Championships medallist — Murali Sreeshankar knew he would have to produce something extra special to wrest the gold from the Jamaican.

As it turned out, the Indian had to settle for silver at the Commonwealth Games at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow on Wednesday (July 29, 2026), successfully defending the runner-up finish he had achieved at the 2022 Birmingham Games.

• The 27-year-old Sreeshankar registered his best jump of 8.09m on his second of six attempts.
• He fouled twice but remained in medal contention for much of the competition.
• Stephen Mackenzie of Scotland won the bronze with an effort of 8.08m in the sixth and final attempt.
• Lokesh Sathyanathan of India finished fifth with a jump of 7.97m.

The 29-year-old Gayle, however, showed why everyone regards him as one of the world’s finest long jumpers. After a modest start that yielded 8.08m in the first attempt, the Jamaican produced a decisive 8.15m effort in the fourth round to seize control of the contest and eventually clinch the gold — even though his season’s best was much better at 8.37m.

Sreeshankar looked in fine form and shape, and midway through the session, the sun was at its brightest. But it was a day when the star Jamaican emerged trumps.