THEBUSINESSBYTE BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, JUNE 30, 2026
Reliance Foundation-backed athletes delivered a commanding
performance at the 65th Inter-State Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar,
clinching an impressive 33 medals — 14 gold, 13 silver and six bronze — over
five action-packed days while securing 15 qualification berths for the 2026
Asian Games.
Adding to the glittering campaign, Sreeshankar Murali and
Ancy Sojan were crowned the Best Men's Athlete and Best Women's Athlete,
respectively, underlining Reliance Foundation's growing influence in nurturing
India's elite athletics talent.
Olympian Sreeshankar produced one of the standout
performances of the championships on the final day, soaring to 8.38m in the
men's long jump. It was the second-best jump of his career, behind only his
personal best of 8.41m, which was also achieved at the Kalinga Stadium. The
mark not only secured him a third consecutive Asian Games berth but also stands
as the best jump by an Asian this season and the seventh-best in the world in
2026.
Reflecting on his comeback from injury, Sreeshankar credited
Reliance Foundation for creating an environment that enabled his return to top
form.
"This is my best performance since coming back from
injury. I am really grateful to be competing here at the Kalinga Stadium. I
want to thank Reliance Foundation for taking such good care of me. The
professional support — from training and injury management to recovery,
nutrition and sports science — is absolutely incredible. Everything is planned
in an individualised manner. Such an ecosystem is essential for developing
talent and creating the right pathways," he said.
The final day proved to be another fruitful outing for
Reliance Foundation athletes, who bagged two gold and two silver medals.
Distance runner Seema showcased exceptional endurance by
completing a memorable long-distance double, following her 5,000m title with
another gold in the 10,000m event.
Consistent performer Yashas P added to his medal haul by
helping Karnataka secure silver in the men's 4x400m relay, after having earlier
struck gold in the 400m hurdles.
Meanwhile, Sawan Barwal, who rewrote the national men's
marathon record earlier this year, capped off the campaign with a silver medal
in the men's 10,000m, bringing the curtains down on an outstanding championship
for Reliance Foundation athletes.
With 33 medals, multiple championship honours and 15 athletes
earning Asian Games qualification, Reliance Foundation once again reinforced
its stature as one of the driving forces behind India's rising athletics
success.
