Reliance Foundation-supported athletes dominated the 65th Inter-State Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, winning 33 medals, including 14 gold, 13 silver and six bronze, over the five-day competition. As many as 15 athletes also achieved the qualification standard for the Asian Games.
The stellar performance was capped by long jumper Sreeshankar Murali and jumper Ancy Sojan being named the championships’ best male and female athletes, respectively.
On the final day, Reliance Foundation athletes added two gold and two silver medals to their tally. Sreeshankar stole the spotlight with a winning leap of 8.38 metres at Kalinga Stadium, his second-best career jump after his personal best of 8.41 metres achieved at the same venue. The effort secured his place at a third successive Asian Games. His mark is the best by an Asian this season and ranks seventh in the world in 2026.
Speaking after his victory, Sreeshankar credited Reliance Foundation for its comprehensive support during his recovery from injury. He said the organisation’s professional ecosystem, covering training, injury management, recovery, nutrition and sports science, had played a crucial role in helping him return to top form.
Distance runner Seema completed an impressive long-distance double by winning the women’s 10,000m title after clinching gold in the 5,000m earlier in the championships.
Karnataka’s Yashas P, who had won the 400m hurdles gold, added a silver medal as part of the state’s 4x400m relay team.
Sawan Barwal, who set a new men’s marathon record earlier this year, rounded off the campaign by winning silver in the men’s 10,000m event, capping a memorable championship for Reliance Foundation athletes.