It was a day painted in silver for Indian athletics at the Asian Athletics Championships 2025 in Gumi, South Korea, with the national contingent racking up podium finishes across disciplines. The highlight, however, came from the men’s triple jump, where Praveen Chitravel delivered a commendable performance to bag silver with a leap of 16.90m, marking a significant return to form on the international stage.
Competing against a stacked field that included defending champion Abdulla Aboobacker and Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Zhu Yaming of China, Chitravel held his own under pressure. Zhu eventually clinched gold with a top effort of 17.06m, the only jump of the day to go beyond the 17m mark. Aboobacker, meanwhile, finished fourth with a best of 16.72m, narrowly missing the podium in his title defence.
A Comeback to Remember
For Praveen Chitravel, the silver medal was more than just a step on the podium — it was redemption. After a forgettable outing at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he failed to make an impact, the 22-year-old from Tamil Nadu has steadily worked his way back. His performance in Gumi proved that the promise he showed as a junior is maturing into results on the senior international circuit.
Chitravel, who holds the national record in the event (17.37m set in 2023), didn’t touch that mark in Gumi, but his 16.90m effort was a strong and consistent showing in a highly competitive field. It also reaffirmed his status as one of Asia’s top jumpers, particularly in a year where Indian athletes are building toward the World Championships and the next Olympic cycle.
Aboobacker Falls Short in Title Defence
It was a disappointing outing for Abdulla Aboobacker, the reigning Asian champion, who came into the competition with high expectations. The Kerala athlete had made a roaring start to the year, clearing 17.19m at the Indian Open Jumps in Bengaluru — his second 17m+ jump in less than three years — and entered the Asian Championships ranked third in Asia for the season.
But when it mattered most, Aboobacker couldn’t replicate the form that saw him win gold in 2023 with a 16.92m jump. His best of 16.72m placed him fourth, behind Zhu, Chitravel, and Japan’s Ryota Yamagata. While it’s not the result he hoped for, Aboobacker’s season is far from over, and he will no doubt be looking to regroup ahead of future international meets.
Zhu Yaming Shows His Class
China’s Zhu Yaming, a seasoned campaigner and the Tokyo Olympic silver medallist, once again proved his pedigree with a commanding performance. His best jump of 17.06m was a class above the rest on the day and enough to reclaim the Asian title.
Zhu’s presence in the field added immense pressure, but also offered a benchmark for India’s jumpers to measure themselves against. While Chitravel couldn’t beat him, finishing within 16 centimetres was a respectable result and an encouraging sign for the Indian camp.
India’s Triple Jump Legacy Continues
The silver medal extended India’s strong record in the triple jump at the Asian level. With medal wins in the last three editions of the Championships, Indian jumpers continue to be a force in the event. The healthy rivalry between Chitravel and Aboobacker has kept the standard high, pushing both athletes to 17m territory in recent seasons — something that was once a rare occurrence in Indian athletics.
With consistent coaching, international exposure, and support from the federation, India’s triple jumpers now have the tools to challenge for global finals, not just continental medals.
Praveen Chitravel’s silver medal in the triple jump stands out as one of the defining moments of India’s campaign at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships so far. After the heartbreak of the Olympics, it was a performance of resilience, maturity, and technical finesse. While gold eluded India on the day, the triple jump silver, along with other podium finishes, reflects the solid progress of Indian athletics.
As the focus shifts to the upcoming events in Gumi and toward the World Championships later this year, India’s athletes will take heart from performances like Chitravel’s — not just as medals, but as markers of progress and belief.
