Shekhawat hails India's triple jump double podium at CWG 2026
Synopsis
India secured a historic double podium in men's triple jump at CWG 2026 in Glasgow, with Praveen Chithravel winning silver and Selva Prabhu bronze. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat congratulated both athletes, calling it a moment that elevates the glory of Indian athletics.
Key Takeaways
Praveen Chithravel won the silver medal in men's triple jump at Commonwealth Games 2026, Glasgow .
Selva Prabhu claimed the bronze medal in the same event, giving India a rare double podium in a single athletics final.
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat publicly congratulated both athletes on 1 August 2026 .
Shekhawat described the achievement as 'historic' and credited the athletes' talent, hard work, and determination.
India had previously won multiple athletics medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham , and this result extends that momentum.
Glasgow is hosting the Commonwealth Games for the second time, having previously hosted in 2014 .
A silver and a bronze from the same event, on the same day — India's men's triple jump pair delivered a double podium finish at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, and Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was quick to mark the moment on Saturday, 1 August 2026.
Shekhawat's post, written in Hindi, celebrated the result as an 'historic achievement' — 'ऐतिहासिक उपलब्धि' — that has 'further elevated the glory of Indian athletics.' He extended warm congratulations to both athletes and wished them a bright future.
Chithravel's silver, Selva Prabhu's bronze
Praveen Chithravel claimed the silver medal in the men's triple jump, while Selva Prabhu took bronze — giving India two athletes on the same podium in a single track-and-field final. Chithravel is an established name in Indian athletics, having previously represented the country at the Asian Games. Selva Prabhu's bronze adds depth to a discipline India has been building quietly over recent years.
A double podium in a single athletics event is rare at any major multi-sport Games. It signals not just individual talent but a competitive depth that coaches and federation officials have been working toward across Olympic cycles.
Glasgow again, a decade on
Glasgow last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2014. The city's return as host in 2026 gives Indian athletes a familiar international stage — and the athletics contingent has wasted no time making it count. India had already secured multiple medals in athletics at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and this double podium suggests that momentum has carried forward.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism does not hold the sports brief — that sits with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports — but senior ministers across portfolios have long used international sporting wins as occasions for public acknowledgement, amplifying national pride through official channels.
What the podium means for Indian athletics
The triple jump has historically been a strength for a handful of Asian nations, but India carving out two of the three podium spots in a single final is a statement. With the Games still ongoing, the athletics contingent's performance will be watched closely as a barometer of India's readiness for the next Olympic cycle.
Two athletes, one event, one podium — Indian athletics just made its loudest statement at Glasgow 2026.
Point of View
Not just individual stars, in field events. For the BJP government, international sporting wins serve a dual purpose: they validate investment in athlete development pipelines and provide senior ministers a high-visibility platform to project national pride. Shekhawat's congratulatory post fits a well-established pattern of cross-portfolio political engagement with sporting success. The real test will be whether this depth translates into Olympic-cycle performance when the stakes are highest.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the triple jump at Commonwealth Games 2026?
Praveen Chithravel won the silver medal and Selva Prabhu won the bronze medal in the men's triple jump at Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, giving India a double podium finish in the event.
Where are the Commonwealth Games 2026 being held?
The Commonwealth Games 2026 are being held in Glasgow, Scotland . Glasgow previously hosted the Games in 2014 .
What did Minister Shekhawat say about India's CWG 2026 performance?
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat called the double podium an 'historic achievement' that has 'further elevated the glory of Indian athletics,' and extended congratulations and best wishes to both Chithravel and Selva Prabhu.
Has Praveen Chithravel competed in major Games before?
Yes, Praveen Chithravel is an established Indian triple jumper who has previously represented India at international events including the Asian Games .
How has India performed in athletics at recent Commonwealth Games?
India secured multiple medals in athletics at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham , and the double podium at CWG 2026 in Glasgow continues that upward trajectory in track and field.
