Triple Jumper Eldhose Paul aims to qualify for Paris Olympics at World Athletics Championships 2023

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Triple jumper Eldhose Paul is determined to qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024 through the upcoming World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest. The global competition, featuring top athletes in the world, starts on August 19.

Paul, the 26-year-old athlete from Kerala, in an interview with Jio Cinema discussed his gold medal win at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and his preparations for the upcoming World Championships in Budapest.

Eldhose Paul is proud to be the first Indian athlete to have qualified for the triple jump event at the World Athletics Championships. He acknowledged that qualifying for such a prestigious event requires significant effort and highlighted the importance of experience and exposure gained from previous competitions.

Learnt from past mistakes: Eldhose Paul

"This is my second World Championships. Last year, I finished 9th and then I didn't have enough experience or exposure. However, this year, I gained a lot of exposure and experience from the last couple of competitions. Coming to the efforts - it's a long process because the World Championships is like the Olympics and sometimes even tougher.

"Qualifying for the World Championships is truly tough due to the high qualification standards. We planned our workouts systematically and had a very good team to help us qualify for the World Championships," he said.

Regarding his preparation for the World Athletics Championships, Eldhose Paul revealed that he has been training extensively in Europe. Mental preparation has been crucial, especially as they approach the final stretch before the competition begins on August 19. He expressed gratitude towards AFI and SAI for providing him with training opportunities in Hungary.

Breaching the 17-meter mark is a mental achievement: Eldhose Paul

Reaching the 17-meter mark in the triple jump is considered a significant achievement, as it signifies a world-standard jump. Eldhose Paul surpassed this mark at last year's Commonwealth Games, where he won gold and became India's first-ever gold medalist in this event. He emphasized that surpassing this mark is more of a mental challenge than a physical one.

"Yes, in the triple jump, the 17m mark is a standard barrier. If an athlete jumps more than 17m, it's considered a world-standard jump. I breached the 17-meter mark last year at the Commonwealth Games. In my mind, it's a mental barrier rather than a physical one, because every athlete can reach 17m," Paul added further.

Preparations for the Olympics started

Looking ahead to the Olympics, Eldhose Paul shared his goal of qualifying through the World Championships by achieving a distance above 17.22 meters, which is required for Olympic qualification. This would allow him to focus on training without rushing during the next season.

"We've already started preparations for the Olympics. I'm aiming to qualify for the Olympics through the World Championships. The qualification mark for the Olympics is 17.22m. I believe I can achieve that mark here and qualify well in advance of the Olympics. This will allow me to train more freely for the next season without rushing," the 26-year-old added further.

When asked about his target for the World Championships, Eldhose Paul reiterated his aim to qualify for both events by reaching distances above 17.20 meters. "The Olympics qualification process has also begun. The qualification target is 17.22m. So, I'm aiming to qualify for the Olympics as well. I'm striving to achieve a distance above 17.20m," he added.

Influence of Neeraj Chopra

Eldhose Paul acknowledged Neeraj Chopra's influence on Indian athletes' mindset, highlighting how his achievements have shifted their focus from participation to winning medals at major international competitions like the Olympics and World Championships.

"The major impact is on our mindset. Before Neeraj's medal, athletes focused on participation and representing India. Now, we believe we can win medals in the Olympics and World Championships. His achievements inspire and motivate all young athletes, including myself.

"The mentality of every Indian athlete has shifted and are achieving world-class performances. There's a significant shift in our competition results, with Indians now performing at the top 10 rankings," Paul said.

Discussing Kerala's success in jumping events including triple jump, Eldhose Paul emphasized that it is the friendship and bonding among athletes, regardless of their state or background, that enhances their performance. Teamwork, friendship, and bonding are essential factors in achieving success in sports.

"The connection isn't solely due to being from the same state but because of the friendship and bonding. Regardless of whether an athlete is from Tamil Nadu or anywhere else, we are Indians representing India as a team.

"Teamwork is crucial, and we work together without any issues relating to language, religion, or other barriers. In sports, teamwork, friendship and bonding are the driving forces behind one's success," he signed off. Watch the interview here.

When and Where to Watch World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023?

Fans can catch all the live action from the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 on JioCinema starting at 12:10 PM from August 19 onwards.