Praveen Chithravel on his method to successful the tripe leap gold on the Federation Nationals in Kochi on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
| Picture Credit score: R.Okay. Nithin
Two years in the past, when triple jumper Praveen Chithravel broke the Nationwide file with a shocking 17.37m in Cuba, many had puzzled how real it was.
Was he examined in Havana, was the query that always popped up?
A 12 months later, the Tamil Nadu athlete might solely handle a weak 16.25m on the Paris Olympics, failing to qualify for the ultimate and ending twenty seventh total. Not many had been shocked, for Chithravel has been one of many nation’s most inconsistent athletes.
That had put him underneath quite a lot of stress. He needed to show the world improper.
This 12 months, the 23-year-old is attempting so as to add some consistency to his act even whereas chasing the massive jumps.
After a 17.13m effort eventually month’s Bengaluru Jumps Indian Open, the Asian Video games bronze medallist stunningly equalled his Nationwide file on the Federation Nationals right here on Thursday. That additionally helped him qualify for this September’s World Championships in Tokyo.
So what’s Chithravel able to doing this 12 months?
“There can be an enormous shock for everyone from me. However I gained’t let you know how far I can leap this 12 months, that would be the shock… I’m simply praying that I keep injury-free. The main focus this 12 months is on the Worlds,” stated Chithravel, now third on this 12 months’s world listing, in a chat with The Hindu.
Cuban Yoandri Betanzos, a former two-time Worlds silver medallist who coaches Chithravel on the JSW’s IIS Ballari centre, threw some gentle on the approaching ‘shock’.
“This 12 months, my plan for him is 17.50m. He can be doing that on the Inter-State Nationals (Chennai, August) and the Worlds,” stated Betanzos.
The place has Chithravel improved?
“Right here,” stated the Cuban, pointing to the top.
“He has energy, pace, and method. Solely, I want to speak to him an increasing number of psychologically to enhance him. He jumped solely 70% right here.”
With Asian champion Abdulla Aboobacker additionally in 17m kind this 12 months, triple leap is about for some thrilling days.
Revealed – April 25, 2025 06:49 pm IST
