Selva Prabhu Thirumaran had imagined his first senior international competition very differently. Instead of fine-tuning his preparations, the Indian triple jumper spent the week before the Commonwealth Games battling food poisoning, diarrhoea and sleepless nights before eventually fighting his way to a bronze medal in Glasgow.
Speaking to NNIS after winning bronze in the men’s triple jump, Selva admitted that the days leading up to the competition had been among the toughest of his career, making his place on the podium even more satisfying.
“About a week ago, I had diarrhoea and food poisoning,” Selva said. “The doctors and physios really helped me with medication, but it was difficult. I couldn’t sleep properly over the last few days. I still feel I could have jumped farther, but I’m proud because I won a medal for my country.”
The 21-year-old’s bronze came at the end of a tense final where he reclaimed a podium place with his fifth attempt, completing another memorable evening for Indian athletics. It also ensured India celebrated a second successive Commonwealth Games double podium in the men’s triple jump after Praveen Chithravel added silver.
REALISING HIS PARENTS’ DREAM
For Selva, the bronze carried emotions that stretched far beyond the distance on the scoreboard.
The Madurai-born jumper was competing in his first senior international championship, having spent the past few years making his name through the junior circuit before winning the NCAA title in the United States earlier this year. Glasgow was his biggest test yet, and one he had feared might slip away after falling ill just days before competition.
“It was my parents’ dream,” Selva said. “This is my first senior international competition and to win a bronze medal feels really special. I want to thank everyone who supported me — my coaches, physios, friends and teammates. Without them, I don’t think I would have come this far.”
Even after standing on the podium, Selva believed there was more to come.
“I feel I could have jumped a little farther, but it’s all about the day. Still, I’m very proud because I won a medal for my country.”
INDIA’S DOUBLE MEDALS IN TRIPLE JUMP
Selva’s medal completed another chapter in India’s growing success story in the men’s triple jump.
Four years after Eldhose Paul and Abdulla Aboobacker produced a historic gold-silver finish in Birmingham, India once again placed two athletes on the Commonwealth Games podium. Praveen Chithravel finished second with a best jump of 16.58m, while Selva recovered from a fourth-round foul to produce a decisive 16.52m effort on his fifth attempt and edge New Zealand’s Ethan Olivier by just two centimetres.
The result was no coincidence. The two Tamil Nadu jumpers have trained together for years and continue to push each other at every competition.
“We’ve trained together since 2022,” Selva said. “He’s a really good teammate and has a lot of potential. We keep pushing each other, and I hope we’ll continue doing well in the competitions ahead.”
Selva has already turned his attention to the Asian Games, convinced there is more to come.
“I know I can jump farther than this,” he said. “I just need to keep working. I hope I’ll do much better at the Asian Games.”
Seven days before the competition, Selva was struggling with food poisoning and wondering whether his body would recover in time. Seven days later, he stood on a Commonwealth Games podium with a bronze medal around his neck, turning what could have been a week of frustration into the biggest moment of his young career.
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