I am not here to prove myself to anybody, the Worlds will be proof of my ability: Praveen Chithravel

Praveen Chithravel has been the undisputed numero uno in men’s triple jump in the country for a while.

The 24-year-old National record-holder (17.37m) from Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu is eagerly looking forward to the World Championships to be held in Tokyo from September 13 to 21.

In his third Worlds (outdoor) appearance, Praveen doesn’t have any expectations except to push himself to the extreme. “I want to go out and do my best. That’s been my philosophy and certainly I am not here to prove myself to anybody, the Worlds will be proof of my ability,” he said in an interview to The Hindu.

Excerpts:

How happy you are to have qualified for the World championships?

This is my third consecutive Worlds. In previous two occasions, I qualified through entry standard. I made it to the 2025 Tokyo Worlds with a jump of 17.37 at the Federation Cup in Kochi, one that equalled my National record. I made it directly to the last edition in Budapest in 2023 by leaping a distance of 17.37m, which was a National record, in Cuba.

Again, I qualified for the 2022 Oregon Worlds with a jump of 17.17m. And, in the Road to Tokyo World championships rankings, I am ranked No.11 in the world, which makes me happy. I am very positive going into the World championships.

How are you going to use your previous experience in the Tokyo Worlds?

Yes, I have a lot of experience in the World championships. I don’t have to think. I just have to go and jump. If I think, I will face a lot of problems. If I don’t think, everything will happen automatically. Actually, it’s my fourth Worlds if you take into account the World Indoors that I took part last year.

What are your expectations from the Worlds given that in the field of 36, many of them are top class?

I am now used to the pressure. I am tired of the term ‘pressure’. The season has been better than last season. Definitely, I will do something. I am not looking at anything. I want to go out and do my best.

That’s my philosophy and certainly I am not going to prove myself to anybody. The Worlds will be proof of my ability.

In the recent National inter-state meet held in Chennai (it was a qualifying event for the Tokyo Worlds), you said you will be making a jump for your friends and relatives whom you had invited from all over the State. You finished third in Chennai…

In Chennai at the Inter-state meet, for my triple jump event, the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu had given a holiday to sports hostels just to watch my event.

I was very happy and wanted to do my best. But because of the rain, I couldn’t do much and finished third. I was happy. I went home to Thanjavur, saw my niece for two days. I felt very happy and confident.

Any specifics you are looking at during training prior to the Tokyo Worlds?

I am focusing on speed and converting my jumps and carry. Training has been good so far.

You are one of the oldest trainees at the Inspire Institute of Sports in Vijayanagar, Karnataka? How has it been?

I have been in IIS for seven years and consider it my home. Everyone from housekeeping to the management knows me. It’s like my family.

It seems you are interested in long jump and want to give it a try?

Yes. Next year, I plan to do more long jump events. This year, I jumped 7.86m in Spain, which is my personal best. I just want to try. I need to fight and find out how good I am. I think I have the power and technique to excel in long jump.

What are your memorable championships?

Since I train abroad with a lot of top jumpers, I still feel that I have a lot to achieve. An Asian championship silver medal in Gumi in 2025 or a bronze medal in Asian Games in 2023 is nothing when compared to their achievements. I want to better my performance. You will see my best in the future.

Your father was a daily wage labourer. How difficult it was growing up?

By any stretch of imagination, it wasn’t easy. I ensured my sister continued her education and then got her married. My brother has finished his Physical Education course. I take care of myself and my family.

You still hold the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games close to your heart where you missed the medal by a whisker?

Yes. Absolutely, In the 2022 CWG, I missed the bronze by 2-3cms. I cannot forget it. I have 2026 CWG as my wallpaper. In the 2022-23 season, I was consistent in my jumps and people thought I would win the gold in Birmingham, but I ended up in the fourth place.

I am waiting for the 2026 CWG. The pain of missing the medal in the 2022 CWG is still in my heart. At the same time, the 2022 CWG will remain memorable. Actually, the key to my career was 2022 CWG. Everything ended and started there. In fact, a few days after the CWG in 2022, I took rest and returned stronger to the Asian Indoors in Astana, Kazakhstan, in 2023 where I did 16.98m (silver) which turned out to be a national record.

Then, at the Indian Open jumps Nationals in March in Bellary, Karnataka, I did 17.17m to win gold and qualify for the Asian Games. Then in Cuba, I created National record (17.37m) in 2023. Then I got a quadricep injury. Because of the injury, I couldn’t take part in the Diamond League despite getting an entry. My best is yet to come.

Personally, equalling the National record in Federation Cup in Kochi this year was great.

I still have a lot to achieve. Winning a bronze medal at the Youth Olympics in 2018 remains a milestone. In the 2023 National Inter-State in Bhubaneswar, I did 17.07m and then went on to win a bronze in the Games with a jump of 16.68m. Winning a medal in the Asian Games is always special.

Tell us about your early coaches?

Indra Suresh was my early coach, who changed me to triple jump. She has produced many National athletes including quartermilers Shuba Venkatesan and T. K. Vishal among others. When I was 15 years, I turned to triple jump.

Who has been your inspiration in athletics?

Christian Taylor has been my inspiration. He is a two-time Olympic champion and multiple World champion in triple jump. I have trained with him at the 2022 Oregon Worlds. He is the best man in triple jump. And in India, it’s Neeraj Chopra. More than being a champion javelin thrower, it’s Neeraj’s character off the field that has attracted me. He has spoken to me personally on how to handle pressure. I want to emulate Neeraj.

According to you, how has triple jump evolved?

Triple jump is a technical event. You get better only with experience. Unless, you are mentally and physically fit, you cannot survive in triple jump.

What’s your dream for triple jump?

When people ask after his retirement, ‘what has Praveen done’, I should say, ‘I have done quite a bit.’ When athletes from difficult economic background ask me for spikes, I give them.

Now, I have a bought a land near my house in Thiruvarur, which I will likely use as a 300m track for training athletes. Coaching is not in my mind. But I will seek the help of experts and help athletes to shine.

What are your other interests?

I have written quite a few love poems. I am waiting to get it tuned by some of my friends.