From 8.38m to 8.42m: The roadmap for Shri Shankar's next medal

In recent domestic meets, Shri Shankar has consistently cleared 8.38 metres, edging close to India’s national long‑jump record. A near‑touch of a red cone set at 8.42 metres in Chennai confirmed his ability to reach the coveted distance with minor adjustments.

The athlete outlines a three‑point roadmap: first, fine‑tune his approach stride pattern; second, increase take‑off power through targeted strength training; third, perfect the landing technique to maximise measured distance. He adds that optimal weather and runway conditions will play a decisive role.

While the exact venue of his next big jump remains uncertain, Shankar is confident that the blend of technical preparation and physical readiness will see him leap beyond the 8.42‑metre threshold, potentially securing another silver or even a gold at the Commonwealth Games.