India had a great campaign at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. The nation finished with a total of 39 medals, and thus ended fourth on the table.
One of these medallists for India was Selva Prabhu who won a bronze in the men’s triple jump. In fact, he was part of a double podium finish for India at the event, as alongside Prabhu, Praveen Chitravel won the silver. However, Selva Prabhu has now revealed that he could have won the gold if his health had not been affected before the competition began.
In an interaction with PTI, Selva Prabhu said that he wished he had won the gold medal for India in triple jump. However, he revealed that he was affected by food poisoning before the competition began. However, even with this illness he managed to compete and win the bronze medal.
“I wish I had gotten that gold. I was really hoping for gold, but what can be done when illness and food poisoning strike before the competition begins? I feel that, in the end, there is always a cost to yourself. I am mentally tough, so I decided that whatever happens, I will do it and keep pushing myself,” said Prabhu.
“I should have stayed healthy, but there’s always next time. I’m always ready. I can compete more and stay healthy. It’s about the stage. I have the consistency. It’s all about that particular day. I just always want to stay healthy. Now, I want to work on my approach. Once I get the hang of it, I can do it,” he added.
Selva Prabhu won the bronze with a jump of 16.52m. This was behind silver medallist and compatriot Pravin Chitravel (16.58m) and gold medallist Jordon Scott of Scotland (16.72m).
Selva Prabhu’s Asian Games 2026 Ambitions
Selva Prabhu will next aim to be selected as one of the two triple jumpers in the Asian Games 2026 beginning from September 19 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. He has outlined his intentions of targetting a gold medal at the mega continental event.
“I live each day. Each day requires a new performance. You just cannot target a gold medal like that. Yes, I am now looking forward to qualifying for the Asian Games first and then taking it from there,” Prabhu concluded.
At the National Inter-State Championships, the qualifying event for the Asian Games, Selva Prabhu finished third with a distance of 16.79m. However, he did pass the Asian Games qualifying mark of 16.28m. But the catch is that India can send only two athletes per discipline, and hence it remains to be seen whether the  bronze medallist can make the cut.