Praveen Chithravel and Tejas Shirse Secure Asian Games Berths in Athletics Trials

Triple jumper Praveen Chithravel and hurdler Tejas Shirse have successfully qualified for the upcoming Asian Games following impressive performances at the national inter-state athletics championships. Chithravel soared to a distance of 16.92m, while Tejas Shirse clocked 13.61s in the 110m hurdles, successfully breaching the qualification standards required for the continental event. These achievements bolster India's athletics contingent for the competition set to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, later this year.

Despite challenging track conditions caused by heavy afternoon rain at the Kalinga Stadium, the athletes maintained focus to deliver the necessary results. Chithravel overcame his disappointment from the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo to record a consistent jump, supported by his training under coach Yoandri Betanzos. Tejas Shirse, meanwhile, managed to overcome multiple false starts in the final to narrowly clear the required 13.63s benchmark, demonstrating mental resilience under pressure.

The focus now shifts toward peak performance for the Asian Games and the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The Indian athletics squad continues to refine its preparation, with coaches emphasizing the need for consistency across major international podiums. Six triple jumpers in total surpassed the 16.28m qualification mark, signaling deep domestic competition in the discipline as India aims to improve its track and field medal tally on the international stage.