New Delhi: India’s Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Selva Prabhu has claimed that food poisoning denied him a shot at winning the gold medal in the event.
Prabhu won a bronze medal in the men’s triple jump in the recently concluded . He believes his personal best would have been enough to seal the top spot on the podium.
Selva claimed the bronze medal in the men’s triple jump with a distance of 16.52m. He finished behind his compatriot Praveen Chithravel, who clinched the silver medal with an effort of 16.58m and Scotland’s Jordon Scott, who won the with an effort of 16.72m.
Selva revealed he suffered from food poisoning on the day of his competition, but decided to take part and give his best. He believes his illness cost him a shot at the gold medal in the men’s triple jump event as his personal best of 17.05m would have helped him comfortably finish on the top of the podium.
“I wish I should have gotten that gold. I was really hoping for gold but what can be done when the competition begins, there is illness and food poisoning. I feel that in the end, there is always a cost to yourself. I am mentally tough so I decided, whatever happens, I will do it. Keep pushing myself,” Selva was quoted as saying by PTI after returning home from Glasgow.
“I should have stayed healthy, but it’s for the next time I’m always ready. I can compete more, 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.
After missing out on the top spot at the Commonwealth Games 2026, Selva said his next target is to qualify for the Asian Games 2026 next month and target a spot on the podium in the showpiece event.
India win 39 medals at Commonwealth Games 2026
India won a total of 39 medals, including 13 gold, at the Commonwealth Games 2026 to finish 4th on the medals table. India’s boxing contingent spearheaded the charge at the showpiece event by producing its best-ever performance in the Commonwealth Games. Indian boxers won a total of ten medals – seven gold and three silver to better their previous best of seven medals at the Commonwealth Games 2018 in Glasgow.