Praveen Chithravel, a young Indian triple jumper, has risen from humble beginnings to become a national champion. Overcoming financial hardships, Praveen’s talent was recognized early on, and with unwavering dedication, he secured a national record and several prestigious medals. Now, on the cusp of the Paris Olympics, Praveen inspires future generations to chase their athletic dreams.
Praveen Chithravel-Personal Information
- Born: June 5, 2001 (age 23)
- Hometown: Tamil Nadu, India
- Sport: Triple Jump
- Achievements:
- National Record Holder (17.37m)
- 2022 Asian Games Bronze Medalist
- 2022 Commonwealth Games (4th Place)
Rising from Poverty
Praveen Chithravel’s journey to athletic success began in a small village in Tamil Nadu, India. Born on June 5, 2001, Praveen’s passion for sports emerged during his school years, despite significant financial challenges. His father worked as a daily wage farm laborer, and his mother managed the household.
At the age of eleven, Praveen’s athletic talent caught the eye of coach Indira Suresh at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Boys in Chennai. Recognizing his potential, Indira took Praveen under her wing and continued to train him even after her transfer to a college in Nagercoil. Praveen’s dedication was unwavering, insisting on training only under Indira’s guidance.
Early Accolades and Dedication
Despite financial limitations, Praveen’s hard work paid off. He secured a gold medal at the inaugural Khelo India School Games, marking the beginning of his promising career. This victory was followed by a silver medal at the Junior National Championships in Coimbatore. Coach Indira Suresh, recognizing Praveen’s potential for international competitions, envisioned him competing in prestigious events like the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and the Olympics.
Praveen’s talent was further recognized when he was scouted by the Inspire Institute of Sports. Here, he received financial assistance and trained with advanced facilities and international coaches. In early 2019, he joined the Indian Institute of Sport (IIS) and committed himself to rigorous training. His unwavering dedication rarely allowed him to return home.
Consistent Improvement and National Breakthrough
Praveen’s commitment translated into consistent improvement. In 2021, he emerged victorious at the National Open Championships in Warangal with a jump of 16.88 meters. He continued this momentum with a 16.84-meter jump at the Federation Cup.
A defining moment arrived at the 61st Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Chennai. Praveen surpassed the 17-meter mark with an impressive 17.18-meter jump, exceeding the World Championship qualification mark. This achievement also broke the national record held by Renjith Maheswary since 2016.
Narrowly Missing the Podium and Overcoming Setbacks
Praveen set his sights on a podium finish at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. With a focused mindset, he quoted his idol, Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, stating, “Pathukalam da” (we’ll see as it comes). Despite a strong performance, Praveen narrowly missed a bronze medal by just three centimeters, finishing fourth.
The disappointment was undeniable, but a message from his idol, Neeraj Chopra, provided solace. Praveen remained determined and aimed to break the outdoor national record. He finally achieved this feat with a 17.37m jump at the Prueba de Confrontacion 2023 Meet in Cuba.
Evolving as a Medalist
Praveen’s talent continued to shine on the international stage. He secured a bronze medal in the men’s triple jump at the 2022 Asian Games. However, maintaining consistency at the 17-meter mark proved challenging.
Despite this, Praveen displayed impressive form in the lead-up to the 2024 Paris Olympics. He delivered jumps of 17.12m at the Indian Grand Prix-1 in Bengaluru and 16.98m at the 63rd Inters States Athletics Championship in Panchkula.
Looking Ahead: Paris 2024 and Beyond
With his sights firmly set on the Paris Olympics, Praveen Chithravel continues to push the boundaries in triple jump. His story serves as an inspiration for future generations of Indian athletes, demonstrating the power of hard work and dedication in achieving dreams.
Also read – https://globalbuzznetwork.com/indias-champions-at-paris-olympics-2024/
Current World Ranking Positions
| Discipline | Place | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s Triple Jump | 21 | 1232 |
| Men’s Overall Ranking | 727 | 1232 |
Highest World Ranking Positions
| Discipline | Place | Weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s Triple Jump | 10 | N/A |
| Men’s Overall Ranking | 397 | N/A |
Personal bests:
| Discipline | Performance | Wind | Venue | Date | Records | Results Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 Metres | 6.84 * | +2.5 | Athletics Track, Parow, Cape Town (RSA) | 21 JAN 2020 | 1007 | |
| Long Jump | 7.58 | 0.0 | Thiruvanthapuram (IND) | 13 MAR 2022 | 1047 | |
| Long Jump | 7.58 = | +0.1 | Lindaplatz, Schaan (LIE) | 11 SEP 2022 | 1047 | |
| Triple Jump | 17.37 | -1.5 | Estadio Panamericano, La Habana (CUB) | 06 MAY 2023 | NR | 1213 |
Honours:
Asian Games
| Place | Discipline | Mark | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Triple Jump | 16.68 | HOC Stadium, Hangzhou (CHN) | 03 OCT 2023 |
Commonwealth Games
| Place | Discipline | Mark | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Triple Jump | 16.89 | Alexander Stadium, Birmingham (GBR) | 07 AUG 2022 |
Asian Indoor Championships
| Place | Discipline | Mark | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Triple Jump | 16.98 | Nur-Sultan (KAZ) (i) | 10 FEB 2023 |
Asian YOG Qualification
| Place | Discipline | Mark | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Triple Jump | 15.51 | Bangkok (THA) | 05 JUL 2018 |
National Championships
| Place | Discipline | Mark | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Triple Jump | 17.07 | Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar (IND) | 17 JUN 2023 |
| 1 | Triple Jump | 17.18 | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai (IND) | 14 JUN 2022 |
https://worldathletics.org/athletes/india/praveen-chithravel-14841034