Sarvesh makes history as the first Indian high jumper to secure a top-three finish in the Diamond League.

In a remarkable achievement for Indian athletics, Sarvesh Kushare has made history by becoming the first Indian high jumper to secure a podium finish at a Diamond League event. Competing in Monaco on July 10, 2026, Kushare clinched third place with a jump of 2.26 meters, marking a significant milestone in his career and joining an elite group of Indian athletes who have excelled in this prestigious series.

Kushare's performance comes just two weeks after he set a new national record of 2.31 meters at the National Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar. This victory not only showcased his talent but also placed him among the few Indians to have finished in the top three of a Diamond League event, a list that includes renowned athletes like Neeraj Chopra, Murali Sreeshankar, and Vikas Gowda.

In a highly competitive field, Kushare outperformed several prominent athletes, including Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim, a three-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist, who finished joint eighth with a height of 2.20 meters. Other notable competitors included Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi and JuVaughn Harrison from the USA, both of whom ended up in joint fourth place. The event was ultimately won by Oleh Doroshchuk of Ukraine, who cleared 2.32 meters, while Great Britain's Jack Kimani took second place with a jump of 2.30 meters.

Born in Devargaon village in Maharashtra's Nashik district, Kushare's journey to success is inspiring. He honed his skills using makeshift landing pits crafted from corn husks and agricultural waste, thanks to his father, who also served as his coach. Despite starting his national career later than most, participating in his first national event at nearly 20 years old, Kushare has steadily improved his performance over the years. His first national gold came in 2018, and he has since broken multiple records, including the recent national record of 2.31 meters.

Following his record-breaking jump, Kushare expressed confidence in his ability to reach even greater heights. "I had been getting close to 2.30 meters and had been thinking about clearing it, but it just wasn't happening. Now, I went above 2.31 meters, and the 2.35-meter mark will also fall, maybe during the Commonwealth or the Asian Games," he stated. Currently, he ranks joint fourth among the world's best jumpers this season and leads among Asian athletes, showcasing the potential for further achievements in his athletic career.