Food poisoning denied me Commonwealth Games gold: Selva Prabhu after CWG bronze
Selva Prabhu said food poisoning affected his Commonwealth Games final, adding that being fully fit could have earned him the gold medal. The bronze medallist has now turned his focus to Asian Games qualification.
Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Selva Prabhu believes food poisoning cost him a genuine chance of winning the gold medal in Glasgow, saying a jump close to his personal best would have been enough to finish on top of the podium.
The Indian triple jumper claimed bronze with the best effort of 16.52m in the men's final, finishing behind compatriot Praveen Chithravel (16.58m) and Scotland's Jordon Scott, who won gold with 16.72m.
Speaking to PTI after returning from Glasgow on Monday, Selva revealed he had been battling food poisoning during the competition but chose to compete despite the illness.
"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 said.
The Tamil Nadu athlete said the illness prevented him from producing his best on the day. With a personal best of 17.05m, Selva felt he had the ability to comfortably surpass the winning mark had he been fully fit.
"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.
Looking ahead, Selva refused to get carried away by thoughts of the 2026 Asian Games, insisting his immediate focus is on securing qualification.
"I live each day. Each day requires a new performance. You just cannot target a gold like that. Yes, I am now looking forward to qualifying for the Asian Games first and then taking it from there," he said.
Selva finished third at the National Inter-State Championships with a jump of 16.79m, comfortably clearing the Athletics Federation of India's Asian Games qualifying standard of 16.28m. However, with only two athletes allowed per event, his place in the Indian squad will depend on the AFI's final selection, which is yet to be announced.
Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Selva Prabhu believes food poisoning cost him a genuine chance of winning the gold medal in Glasgow, saying a jump close to his personal best would have been enough to finish on top of the podium.
The Indian triple jumper claimed bronze with the best effort of 16.52m in the men's final, finishing behind compatriot Praveen Chithravel (16.58m) and Scotland's Jordon Scott, who won gold with 16.72m.
Speaking to PTI after returning from Glasgow on Monday, Selva revealed he had been battling food poisoning during the competition but chose to compete despite the illness.
"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 said.
The Tamil Nadu athlete said the illness prevented him from producing his best on the day. With a personal best of 17.05m, Selva felt he had the ability to comfortably surpass the winning mark had he been fully fit.
"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.
Looking ahead, Selva refused to get carried away by thoughts of the 2026 Asian Games, insisting his immediate focus is on securing qualification.
"I live each day. Each day requires a new performance. You just cannot target a gold like that. Yes, I am now looking forward to qualifying for the Asian Games first and then taking it from there," he said.
Selva finished third at the National Inter-State Championships with a jump of 16.79m, comfortably clearing the Athletics Federation of India's Asian Games qualifying standard of 16.28m. However, with only two athletes allowed per event, his place in the Indian squad will depend on the AFI's final selection, which is yet to be announced.
Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Selva Prabhu believes food poisoning cost him a genuine chance of winning the gold medal in Glasgow, saying a jump close to his personal best would have been enough to finish on top of the podium.
The Indian triple jumper claimed bronze with the best effort of 16.52m in the men's final, finishing behind compatriot Praveen Chithravel (16.58m) and Scotland's Jordon Scott, who won gold with 16.72m.
Speaking to PTI after returning from Glasgow on Monday, Selva revealed he had been battling food poisoning during the competition but chose to compete despite the illness.
"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 said.
The Tamil Nadu athlete said the illness prevented him from producing his best on the day. With a personal best of 17.05m, Selva felt he had the ability to comfortably surpass the winning mark had he been fully fit.
"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.
Looking ahead, Selva refused to get carried away by thoughts of the 2026 Asian Games, insisting his immediate focus is on securing qualification.
"I live each day. Each day requires a new performance. You just cannot target a gold like that. Yes, I am now looking forward to qualifying for the Asian Games first and then taking it from there," he said.
Selva finished third at the National Inter-State Championships with a jump of 16.79m, comfortably clearing the Athletics Federation of India's Asian Games qualifying standard of 16.28m. However, with only two athletes allowed per event, his place in the Indian squad will depend on the AFI's final selection, which is yet to be announced.
