India's national record holder Praveen Chithravel has set his sights firmly on the men's triple jump final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, saying his focus is entirely on executing each phase of his jump rather than chasing a specific result. The 23-year-old qualified for Saturday's final with a best effort of 16.41 metres in the qualification round.

Unfinished Business from Birmingham

Chithravel enters the Glasgow final carrying the memory of a painful near-miss at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022, where he fell short of a podium finish by just three centimetres. That razor-thin margin, he says, has since become fuel for growth.

'Missing the medal in Birmingham by such a small margin taught me a lot. Since then, every season has been about becoming a better athlete technically, physically and mentally. I don't want to think too much about results before the competition. My job is to execute every phase of my jump well, stay calm and trust the work I've put in. If I can do that, I know the performance will come,' Chithravel said.

Training Edge at IIS Ballari

The Asian Games bronze medallist trains at the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) in Ballari under Cuban coach Yoandri Betanzos. He credits the integrated high-performance environment there for sharpening the technical details that define success in the triple jump.

'Triple jump is an event where the smallest details make a big difference. At IIS, I have the opportunity to work on those details every single day. Whether it's technical feedback after a session, strength work, recovery or nutrition, everything comes together in one place. Living on campus means I can stay fully focused on training, and that consistency has really helped me improve as an athlete,' he said.

Mindset Heading into the Final

Chithravel's approach to Saturday's final reflects a process-driven philosophy that has become a hallmark of elite Indian track-and-field athletes in recent years. Rather than fixating on a podium finish, he is prioritising execution and enjoyment of the competition.

'I'm always trying to improve, whether it's by a few centimetres or by becoming a better athlete overall. Every competition teaches you something new, and every season is a chance to move closer to the level I want to reach. Right now, my focus is on giving my best in Glasgow, enjoying the competition and making every jump count,' he added.

What's at Stake

A medal in Glasgow would mark a significant milestone for Indian athletics at the Commonwealth Games, and would represent a redemption arc for Chithravel after Birmingham 2022. The triple jump final is one of India's marquee track-and-field events at these Games, and Chithravel's 16.41m qualifying effort signals he is in strong form heading into the decisive round.