ATHLETICS | Chithravel capable of jumping 17.50m this year, says coach Betanzos

Praveen Chithravel aims for consistency and a big jump of 17.50m this year, says coach Betanzos.

Two years ago, when triple jumper Praveen Chithravel broke the National record with a stunning 17.37m in Cuba, many had wondered how genuine it was.

Was he tested in Havana, was the question that often popped up?

A year later, the Tamil Nadu athlete could only manage a weak 16.25m at the Paris Olympics, failing to qualify for the final and finishing 27th overall. Not many were surprised, for Chithravel has been one of the country’s most inconsistent athletes.

That had put him under a lot of pressure. He wanted to prove the world wrong.

This year, the 23-year-old is trying to add some consistency to his act even while chasing the big jumps.

After a 17.13m effort at last month’s Bengaluru Jumps Indian Open, the Asian Games bronze medallist stunningly equalled his National record at the Federation Nationals here on Thursday. That also helped him qualify for this September’s World Championships in Tokyo.

So what is Chithravel capable of doing this year?