Praveen Chithravel ready to surprise with a bigger jump after equalling his own National Record
Two years ago, when triple jumper Praveen Chithravel broke the National Record with a stunning 17.37m in Cuba, many had wondered how genuine it was.
Was he tested in Havana, was the question that often popped up.
A year later, the Tamil Nadu athlete could only manage a weak 16.25m at the Paris Olympics, failing to qualify for the final and finishing 27th overall. Not many were surprised, for Chithravel has been one of the country's most inconsistent athletes.
That had put him under a lot of pressure. He wanted to prove the world wrong.
This year, the 23-year-old is trying to add some consistency in his act even while chasing the big jumps.
After a 17.13m effort at last month's Indian Open Jumps in Bengaluru, the Asian Games bronze medallist equalled his National Record at the Federation Nationals here on Thursday. That also helped him qualify for this September's World Championships in Tokyo.
ALSO READ | Now India's fastest in 200m, Animesh Kujur aims for sub-20
So, what is Chithravel capable of doing this year?
'There will be a big surprise for everybody from me. But I won't tell you how far I can jump this year, that will be the surprise… I'm just praying that I stay injury-free. The focus this year is on the Worlds,' said Chithravel, now third in this year's world list, in a chat with Sportstar.
Cuban Yoandri Betanzos, a former two-time Worlds silver medallist who coaches Chithravel at the JSW's IIS Bellary centre, threw some light on the coming 'surprise'.
'This year, my plan for him is 17.50m. He will be doing that at the Inter-State Nationals (Chennai, August) and the Worlds,' said Betanzos.
Where has Chithravel improved? 'Here,' said the Cuban, pointing to the head.
'He has power, speed and technique. Only, I need to talk to him more psychologically to improve him. He jumped only 70 per cent here.'
With Kerala-born Asian champion Abdulla Aboobacker also in 17m form this year, triple jump is set for some exciting days.
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