CWG 2026: 'My job is to execute every phase of my jump well,' says Praveen Chithravel
New Delhi, July 31
India's national record holder Praveen Chithravel says he is focused on executing every phase of his jump and trusting his preparation rather than thinking about the outcome as he gears up for the men's triple jump final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Chithravel, who qualified for Saturday's final after producing a best effort of 16.41 metres in the qualification round, enters the medal event with unfinished business, having missed the podium by just three centimetres at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games four years ago.
Reflecting on that disappointment, the Asian Games bronze medallist said the experience helped shape his growth as an athlete.
"Missing the medal in Birmingham by such a small margin taught me a lot. Since then, every season has been about becoming a better athlete technically, physically and mentally. I don't want to think too much about results before the competition. My job is to execute every phase of my jump well, stay calm and trust the work I've put in. If I can do that, I know the performance will come," said Chithravel.
The 23-year-old, who trains at the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) in Ballari under Cuban coach Yoandri Betanzos, credited the high-performance environment for helping him improve the finer aspects of his event.
"Triple jump is an event where the smallest details make a big difference. At IIS, I have the opportunity to work on those details every single day. Whether it's technical feedback after a session, strength work, recovery or nutrition, everything comes together in one place. Living on campus means I can stay fully focused on training, and that consistency has really helped me improve as an athlete," he said.
Looking ahead to the final, Chithravel said his priority remains continuous improvement.
"I'm always trying to improve, whether it's by a few centimetres or by becoming a better athlete overall. Every competition teaches you something new, and every season is a chance to move closer to the level I want to reach. Right now, my focus is on giving my best in Glasgow, enjoying the competition and making every jump count," he said.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The maturity in his words is impressive for a 23-year-old. "Every competition teaches you something new" - this is the right mindset. The IIS training system seems to be really helping our athletes. Wishing him a podium finish in Glasgow! 🙏
Good to see Indian athletes focusing on the process rather than the outcome. That's what separates good performers from great ones. The support from IIS and Cuban coach Yoandri Betanzos is clearly paying off. All the best, Praveen!
As a sports enthusiast from the UK, I've been following the Commonwealth Games closely. Chithravel's resilience is admirable - the triple jump is so technical, and his disciplined approach shows he's learned from Birmingham. Hope he does well!
His dedication is inspiring! Training at IIS with everything under one roof - technical, strength, recovery, nutrition - shows how important infrastructure is for athletes. I hope more Indian athletes get such facilities. Best wishes for the final!
The fact that he qualified with 16.41m and says he wants to improve by "a few centimetres" shows his hunger. Missing a medal by 3cm in Birmingham must have been tough, but he's turned it into motivation. That's the champion mindset! 💪
S We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.