The men’s triple jump emerged as one of the highest-quality competitions of the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships, with six athletes surpassing the Athletics Federation of India’s (AFI) Asian Games qualification standard in a fiercely contested final.
Leading the way was national record holder Praveen Chithravel, who clinched the gold medal with a best leap of 16.92m, reaffirming his position as India’s top triple jumper.
The battle for the podium was intense, with Karthik finishing second after clearing 16.80m, while Selva Prabhu claimed bronze with 16.79m, just one centimetre behind the silver medallist.
Men’s Triple Jump Final
Praveen Chithravel – 16.92m
Karthik – 16.80m
Selva Prabhu – 16.79m
Abdulla – 16.54m
Mohanraj J – 16.53m (Personal Best)
Gailey Venister – 16.48m (Personal Best)
All six athletes bettered the AFI’s qualification standard for the 2026 Asian Games, underlining the remarkable depth that has developed in Indian men’s triple jumping.
Praveen Chithravel, who holds the national record and has represented India at the World Championships and Asian Games, once again showcased his consistency on the domestic circuit. While his winning mark fell short of his personal best, it was enough to secure another national title in a field packed with quality.
One of the biggest positives from the competition was the emergence of new talent. Mohanraj J and Gailey Venister both produced lifetime-best performances, signalling the arrival of a new generation capable of pushing India’s established jumpers.
The close margins throughout the competition reflected the increasing competitiveness of the event. Just 44 centimetres separated the gold medallist from the sixth-place finisher, with five athletes clearing at least 16.50 metres.
The performances also strengthen India’s prospects in the event ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya. While achieving the AFI qualification standard is an important milestone, the final composition of the Indian team will be decided by the Athletics Federation of India’s Selection Committee.