The Indian contingent on Sunday recorded an historic feat at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham. Two men’s triple jump athletes, Eldhose Paul and Abdulla Aboobacker, came first and second. 

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Paul produced his best effort of 17.03m in his third attempt while Aboobacker was not behind much as he finished at 17.02m, which he managed in his fifth attempt.

Jah-Nhal Perinchief of Bermuda won the bronze with his best jump of 16.92m.

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India has won four triple jump medals in the past editions but this is the first time two athletes from the country have got podium finishes.

Mohinder Singh Gill had won a bronze and a silver in 1970 and 1974 editions while Renjith Maheswary and Arpinder Singh had finished third in 2010 and 2014 editions.

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“Double joy in triple jump, and Gold in men’s and women’s boxing. Many congratulations to Eldhose Paul, Abdulla Aboobacker, Nitu Ganghas, and Amit Panghal 👏🏽 🇮🇳 #CWG2022 @WeAreTeamIndia,” former cricketer Wasim Jaffer congratulated the two. 

“Many congratulations to Eldhose Paul & Abdulla Aboobacker who created history and made the country proud by winning Gold 🥇 and silver🥈in Men’s Triple Jump at #CommonwealthGames2022,” Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted. 

“Congratulations to the duo of Eldhose Paul & Abdulla Aboobacker for winning gold and silver for India at the CWG in Men’s triple jump. The boys have scripted history for Indian athletics with their immaculate display today. The whole nation is proud of their heroics,” JP Nadda, BJP’s National President, said on Twitter.  

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India was close to a top three finish but Praveen Chitravel fell 0.03m short of Jah-Nhai Perinchief’s 16.92m jump. 

Paul, in fact, became the first jumper to clear 17m in the CWG event when he jumped 17.03m. It is also his personal best. The Kerala-based athlete had finished with a jump of 16.79m in the  final of the World Championships in Eugene.