Chithravel is making waves in the triple jump scene. This season, he impressed with jumps of 16.62m, 16.66m, and 16.28m, although he did have three fouls. He holds the Indian national record of 17.37m, which he achieved twice: first in Cuba in 2023 and then at the Federation Cup in Kochi.
His year has been strong. He won a title at the National Games in February and hit 17m in two other events, even matching his own national record. Recently, he also took silver at the Asian Athletics Championships.
Chithravel has qualified for the World Athletics Championships set for September, showcasing his consistent performance.
In another notable achievement, Seema clocked a season-best time of 15:35.86 in the women’s 5000m, earning her first international medal. Julia David-Smith from France took gold with a personal best of 15:34.57.
These victories mark India’s first medals in athletics at the ongoing World University Games. Overall, India has secured nine medals at this year’s games, which are taking place across six cities in Germany from July 16 to July 27.
Looking back, India performed exceptionally at the last World University Games held in Chengdu in 2023, where they finished seventh with 26 medals, including 11 gold. Interestingly, most of those golds came from shooting, which won’t be part of the 2025 edition.
A quick note on trends: interest in athletics is growing in India, especially among the youth. Social media buzz surrounds athletes like Chithravel, inspiring a new generation. Recent surveys show that 75% of young Indians now engage with and follow sports more closely, driven by platforms like Instagram and YouTube.
For more detailed insights, check out the [FISU World University Games official page](https://www.fisu.net). The numbers don’t lie; the future looks bright for Indian athletics!
