Monaco: In a remarkable debut at the Monaco Diamond League 2023 athletics meet, Indian triple jumper Praveen Chithravel showcased his immense talent, finishing sixth in the men’s triple jump event. The 22-year-old made his presence felt on the international stage, despite narrowly missing the elusive 17-metre mark on this occasion.
Praveen Chithravel’s best jump came on his fifth and final attempt, where he achieved a commendable distance. His jumps were measured at 15.69m, 16.44m, 16.54m, and 16.32m, signifying his consistency throughout the competition. Although he missed crossing the 17-metre mark, it was an impressive performance considering he was making his comeback after recovering from an injury that had kept him out of action for nearly a month.
Notably, Praveen Chithravel holds the Indian national record in the triple jump, an exceptional achievement with a distance of 17.37m attained in Cuba in May. This record-breaking jump secured his qualification for the World Athletics Championships scheduled to take place in August in Budapest, Hungary.
The event in Monaco was fiercely contested, and it was Hugues Fabrice Zango of Burkina Faso, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist and a two-time world championship medal winner, who emerged victorious in the triple jump. Zango’s remarkable effort of 17.70m secured the top spot on the podium.
Praveen Chithravel’s performance in Monaco also earned him three qualification ranking points for the Diamond League Final 2023. He currently stands 12th in the standings, ahead of his compatriot Abdulla Aboobacker, who participated in the Florence Diamond League.
The Diamond League series adopts a unique points-based system, awarding athletes points for their performances in each leg of the competition rather than traditional medals. At the conclusion of all the legs, the top eight athletes in each event will qualify for the prestigious Diamond League Final, where they will vie for the coveted trophy.
The Hercules EBS competition in Monaco marked the ninth leg of the Diamond League 2023 season. The thrilling series will culminate with the grand two-day final in Eugene, USA, scheduled for September 16 and 17.
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