Praveen, Selva win CWG triple jump silver, bronze

Indian athletes Praveen Chithravel and Selva Prabhu Thirumaran secured a double podium finish in the men’s triple jump at the Commonwealth Games 2026, claiming silver and bronze medals respectively. Their achievements marked the second time India had achieved such a feat at the event, underscoring a strong showing in athletics amid broader success across multiple disciplines.

Chithravel’s silver medal came after a dramatic progression through the competition. He began with a modest 16.05m in his first attempt, placing fifth, before improving to 16.31m in the third round. His fourth attempt saw a leap of 16.58m, which briefly put him in the lead. He maintained his position through subsequent jumps, finishing with a best effort of 16.58m. Jamaica’s Jordan Scott narrowly edged him out for gold with a 16.72m jump, a 14cm advantage. Chithravel’s performance was a redemption of sorts, following a fourth-place finish at the previous Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where he missed a medal by just three centimetres.

Selva Prabhu secured bronze with a final jump of 16.52m, a result that highlighted his steady improvement throughout the competition. He initially moved into contention with a 16.17m effort in his second attempt, then refined his performance to 16.43m in the third round. His final leap solidified his position on the podium, marking his first Commonwealth Games medal. The duo’s success added to India’s growing tally of medals in athletics, with Chithravel’s silver being the second in India’s triple jump history at the event.

The victory in the triple jump followed another double podium finish by Indian athletes earlier in the week. On August 1, Neeraj Chopra and Yash Vir Singh claimed silver and bronze respectively in the men’s javelin, showcasing India’s depth in track and field. The success in Glasgow was further amplified by achievements in other sports, including boxing, where Jaismine Lamboria won gold in the women’s 57kg category, and Preeti Pawar secured another gold in the women’s 54kg division. These results underscored India’s competitive edge across multiple disciplines at the 2026 Games.

Chithravel’s journey to the podium reflected years of dedicated training and international exposure. Hailing from Tamil Nadu, he has been a consistent performer on the global stage, with notable achievements including a bronze medal at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games and a silver at the 2023 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships. His 17.37m outdoor national record, set in 2024, remains a benchmark for Indian triple jumpers. Support from initiatives like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and the Athletes Career Transition Centre (ACTC) played a role in his preparation for the Commonwealth Games.

Selva Prabhu’s bronze added to the narrative of India’s rising talent in the event. While less publicly profiled than Chithravel, his performance in Glasgow highlighted the growing competitiveness of Indian athletes in field events. The duo’s results also provided a contrast to the challenges faced by other Indian competitors, such as judoka Harsh Tokas, who was eliminated in the men’s 81kg quarterfinals, and Inunganbi Takhellambam, who lost in the women’s 70kg quarterfinals.

The Commonwealth Games 2026 saw India accumulate a significant number of medals across sports, with the triple jump and javelin successes emblematic of the nation’s strategic focus on athletics. Chithravel’s silver and Selva Prabhu’s bronze not only added to the medal tally but also reinforced the potential of Indian athletes to contend at the highest levels of international competition. As the Games progressed, these achievements served as proof of the country’s evolving sporting landscape and the culmination of years of investment in talent development.