Praveen Chithravel is an Indian athlete who competes in the triple jump category. Praveen is the National record holder for the triple jump. He won bronze medals at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games and the 2022 Asian Games.
Wiki/Biography
Praveen Chithravel was born on Tuesday, 5 June 2001 (age 22 years; as of 2023) in Tamil Nadu, India. His zodiac sign is Gemini. Praveen attended the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai (Boys), which is a Centre of Excellence (CoE). CoEs are a Tamil Nadu government initiative that supports talented sportspersons. Praveen finished his higher secondary education at the Balakrishna Matric Higher Secondary School in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. After his schooling, Praveen enrolled in a college in Mangalore, Karnataka to do his Bachelor of Arts. Praveen spent his time training under Coach Indira Suresh in Nagercoil and travelled to Mangalore only to write his exams.
Praveen Chithravel during his high school days
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 9″
Weight (approx.): 75 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Praveen Chithravel comes from a family in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.
Parents & Siblings
Praveen’s father, Chitravel, is a daily wage farm labourer. His mother is a housewife. Praveen has two siblings, an elder sister and a younger brother. His brother, Velpriyan Chithravel, is also training to be an athlete.
Praveen Chithravel with his parents
Praveen Chithravel with his younger brother, Velpriyan
Career
Praveen Chithravel met his mentor Indira Suresh at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Boys in Chennai. Indira Suresh works with the Sports Development Authority of India. Praveen met Coach Indira when he was in 7th standard and started training under her ever since. In an interview, Coach Indira said,
When Praveen was in Class VII at the CoE in Chennai, I spotted him and took him under me. When I was shifted to a college in Nagecoil, he also came to me and said he will train only under me. So, I got him admitted to my college.”
Praveen Chithravel with his first mentor, Indira Suresh
Praveen practiced hard since his time at the CoE. The Chairperson of CoE is Udhayanidhi Stalin, Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development. Praveen later started training with the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) in Vijayanagara, Karnataka, where he started training under Antony Yaich.
Praveen Chithravel with Antony Yaich
Praveen trains at IIS year-round and goes back to his home in Thiruvarur only once a year. IIS also helps Praveen financially. Praveen is the second Indian to bring home a medal from the 2018 Youth Olympics Games in Buenos Aires. He achieved this when he was 17 years old. In an interview, Praveen stated,
My whole life turned on its head the moment I won the bronze medal at Buenos Aires 2018. I got the much-needed sponsorships and two months later, I got selected for the senior Asian championships.”
Praveen took part in the 2022 Commonwealth Games and came in fourth. In an interview, Praveen spoke about how Neeraj Chopra inspired him to look past not getting a medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and focus on the future,
Neeraj Chopra messaged me on Instagram after I narrowly missed out on the medal at the Commonwealth Games. He is such a great role model and an inspiration for so many. He (Chopra) first congratulated me for my consistency. He then asked me to not lose heart and motivated me by saying that I have the potential to do well at the Asian Games and the World Championships in 2023.”
Praveen Chithravel with javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra
Praveen Chithravel finished sixth in the men’s triple jump at the 2023 Monaco Diamond League. This was the first Diamond League, and Praveen recorded his best jump of 16.59m. He couldn’t pass the 17m standard mark which he set in four outdoor meets in 2023 due to a hamstring injury that forced him to take a break for nearly a month. The injury also caused him to pull out of the 2023 Florence Diamond League in Italy. Praveen set the National Record in Cuba with a 17.37 m jump, which qualified him for the 2023 World Athletics Championships held in Hungary; however, only Neeraj Chopra won a medal (gold) at the World Championships.
Praveen qualified for the 2022 Asian Games after making a 17.17m jump at the Indian Open Jumps Competition 2023 in Bellary, Karnataka. Praveen’s 16.68-meter jump at the 2022 Asian Games won him the bronze medal. Praveen made a jump in his third round that would have won him a silver medal, but the jump was declared a foul.
Another remarkable achievement in Athletics!
Huge congratulations to @PraveenChithra1 on winning the Bronze Medal in Men’s Triple Jump event.This outstanding performance today has brought glory to our nation. pic.twitter.com/sLv3bC859R
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 3, 2023
Record(s)
2023: National record holder for triple jump after jumping 17.37m leap at the Prueba de Confrontación 2023 Meet in Cuba.