New Delhi, April 8 (NationPress) Indian triple jumper Abdulla Aboobacker has established a definitive target for achieving a podium position at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan: the 17-meter mark. Having just missed out on a podium finish in the previous edition, the Commonwealth Games bronze medalist is confident that surpassing the 17m threshold will secure either a gold or silver medal in Japan.

During the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, Chinese athletes Zhu Yaming (17.13m) and Fang Yaoqing (16.93m) claimed the gold and silver, while India's Praveen Chithravel took bronze with a jump of 16.68m, placing Aboobacker fourth with a distance of 16.62m.

Recently, Aboobacker achieved a personal best jump of 16.83m at the Indian Open Jumps Competition in Bengaluru, where he outperformed national record holder Chithravel for the victory. This marked the eighth occasion where both athletes finished in the top two.

"If I surpass the 17m mark in the Asian Games 2026, I have a strong chance of winning gold or silver. Previously, I finished fourth with a jump of 16.63m, but in Japan, I must deliver a strong performance. Last time, both medals went to Chinese athletes," Aboobacker stated in an interview with IANS.

The former Asian champion emphasized that the fierce competition among Indian jumpers is enhancing India’s prospects to challenge China’s supremacy and secure a top-two finish in Achi-Nagoya.

"This year, our Indian triple jump squad is incredibly robust. The intense competition among Indian jumpers is pushing us, and I am confident we can secure a top-two finish at the Asian Games," he expressed.

He added, "Facing off against Praveen (Chithravel) has significantly elevated my performance. Overcoming him has motivated me for the upcoming Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. The strong competition I am experiencing before these major events will undoubtedly enhance my performance there," the 30-year-old jumper remarked.

At the Indian Open, Aboobacker's winning jump occurred on his third attempt, and he strategically opted out of his final three jumps to maintain consistency for the forthcoming major tournaments.

"At the Indian Open, my jumps were 16.07m, 16.57m, and 16.83m. I decided to stop after three jumps since 16.83m is a commendable performance and I wanted to focus on my goals for the next competition. There was a headwind at the Indian Open; had I pushed harder, I might have approached the 17m mark, but I prioritized consistency over risk in that scenario," he explained.

"Even if I had achieved 17.20m or 17.30m, it wouldn't have been significant in that context. My primary goal was consistency. After numerous jumps during the off-season, maintaining that form throughout the main season is crucial, which is why I chose to conclude my attempts after three jumps," he concluded.

Aboobacker, currently training at the Inspire Institute of Sport in Bengaluru, noted that the facilities there have streamlined his training and logistical preparations.

"Since joining IIS, I've learned a great deal about aspects like nutrition and recovery. I was able to quickly address my speed, strength, and conditioning needs. Previously, I would have had to search for physiotherapy or recovery services, but at IIS, everything is conveniently available in one location," he stated.