Triple jumper Selva Prabhu blames food poisoning for missing Commonwealth gold
Selva Prabhu said a bout of food poisoning kept him from jumping his personal best and winning gold at the Commonwealth Games, leaving him with bronze.
Competing in the men's triple jump at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Selva Prabhu secured the bronze medal with a distance of 16.52 metres, trailing Praveen Chithravel of India and Scotland's Jordon Scott. After returning home, Prabhu told reporters that food poisoning had hampered his ability to perform at his usual level, and that a jump close to his 17.05-metre personal best would likely have won the event. He lamented the missed opportunity but emphasized his mental resilience and plans to focus on staying healthy.
Looking ahead, Prabhu said his immediate goal is to qualify for the Asian Games in Japan, after which he will aim for higher achievements. The Athletics Federation of India has not yet released the final team roster for the Asian Games.
Why it matters
The athlete's claim highlights how health issues can affect performance in major international competitions.
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