The family of Indian triple jumper Praveen Chithravel celebrated with pride after the athlete secured the silver medal in the men’s triple jump at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The achievement sparked joyous scenes at the modest home of his family in Settisathiram village, where relatives, neighbours and well-wishers gathered to watch the event. Although Praveen narrowly missed the gold medal, his father expressed confidence that his son would return stronger and eventually stand atop the podium in future international competitions.
Praveen’s father, Chithravel, an agricultural daily wage worker, reflected on the family’s journey and the sacrifices made to support his son’s sporting ambitions. He said the family ensured their children received an education and pursued their dreams despite financial challenges. Recalling Praveen’s early years, he said he would often take his son on his bicycle to training and competitions, helping him gradually build his confidence and develop into an international athlete.
The Indian athlete won the silver medal with a best jump of 16.58 metres in challenging weather conditions, missing the gold medal by a narrow margin. While acknowledging the disappointment of falling just short of the top prize, Chithravel said the family was immensely proud of Praveen’s performance. He expressed confidence that his son would win a gold medal in the future and bring even greater honour to India and Tamil Nadu.
Chithravel credited the success not only to his son’s determination but also to the support of the entire community. He said the youth of the village encouraged Praveen like one of their own, while teachers, relatives and neighbours provided valuable guidance throughout his journey. He also thanked both the Tamil Nadu and Central governments for extending assistance that helped his son pursue his sporting career.
The family watched the Commonwealth Games event together on television, celebrating as Praveen added another major international medal to his achievements. The athlete had previously won a bronze medal at the Asian Games, and his latest success further strengthens his reputation as one of India’s leading triple jumpers. His consistent performances have raised expectations for future international competitions, including the Asian Games and the Olympic cycle.
Looking ahead, Chithravel said he hopes his son’s achievements inspire more young people from their village to pursue sports. While expressing his wish for Praveen to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal in the future, he said his greatest satisfaction would come from seeing more children from rural backgrounds believe that they too can achieve success on the international stage through dedication, hard work and perseverance.