Triple leap’s band of brothers Unnikrishan, Aboobacker, Paul make 17 metres the brand new norm 

Karthik Unnikrishnan, Abdulla Aboobacker and Eldhouse Paul have been companions in a shared dream. Like a band of brothers, these triple jumpers practice on the identical venue, have a standard coach, keep on the identical hostel and are united by a single objective: to cross the 17-metre mark. Last week, the newest installment of what their coach M Harikrishnan phrases because the ‘triple-jump war’ ended nicely. Aboobacker completed first on the Indian Grand Prix-3 with a leap of 17.19 metres, the second finest by an Indian after Renjith Maheshswary’s 17.30m six years in the past. The bonus was Aboobacker qualifying for the world championships.

Spurred on by his coaching mate, Unnikrishnan produced 17.10m in his sixth and last try. Paul had laid down the marker with 16.99m on the Federation Cup final month. If not for a minor niggle, Paul might have joined the 17-metre membership too. He completed third with 16.87m however is a confirmed champion and anticipated to finish the unfinished enterprise on the inter-state competitors in Chennai subsequent month.

Harikrishnan predicts this being the beginning of a golden period in males’s triple leap. The title of the ‘best jumper’ in India will hold interchanging, he believes. Having the identical wavelength and being from related backgrounds has helped develop the spirit of wholesome competitors between these jumpers.

They bond over their love for the game, all three are Services athletes and state-mates from Kerala. Karthik and Abdulla from the Air Force and Eldhouse from the Navy. They work as a crew throughout coaching, however throughout competitors are fierce rivals.

“It is difficult to predict who will win gold, silver and bronze because they are evenly matched. The advantage of three elite athletes training together is that they can push each other. Because each one knows that if one of them slips, the other will go ahead. As a coach, I make sure that even during workout drills, they compete with each other. It is a strategy that works. I am also open to their ideas. That way, they trust the coach, communication is clear and there is a strong bond between us,” Harikrishnan mentioned.

Away from coaching, the trio, of their mid and late 20s, hang around collectively on the Sports Authority of India centre in Bengaluru. Aboobacker and Unnikrishnan are roommates within the hostel, whereas Paul stays in the identical block. They share takeaways from coaching, go to the mess collectively for meals and seek the advice of one another earlier than planning off-day actions.

“Be it a jumping session, a running session or weight training, we are competing with each other. The tough competition within our training group is what has helped us cross 17 metres. If I was training alone, I would have been satisfied with a 16-plus-metre jump but now I am always looking to try and better Karthik and Eldhose in the next competition. We keep motivating each other. There is a strong bond between us,” Aboobacker mentioned.

Unnikrishnan shares the same story in regards to the close-knit group. “Outside the training ground, we are friends and get along well. We are very frank with each other and share everything. It is good to have friends who are also rivals. After Abdulla jumped 17.19 metres, I jumped 17.10 in my last round. We had kept 17 metres as a big target so it was very satisfying. Eldhouse too will cross 17 metres very soon.”

No favourites

Training three elite jumpers could be difficult for a coach throughout competitors. Each certainly one of them turns to him for recommendation between rounds. They count on him to identify a mistake throughout a leap and in addition assist them keep in the correct way of thinking. He wants to remain impartial and may’t afford to have favourites. Aboobacker credit the short phrase he had with the coach for his 17-metre-plus leap.

He was having an off day on the Indian GP-3. His first leap of 16 metres was adopted by three fouls. He had injured his proper heel through the Federation Cup in April and had solely used quick strategy jumps in observe, when he didn’t put any strain on his heel and as a substitute walked on his toes.

But Aboobacker had an edge. The runway on the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar was his favorite. He took a liking to it when he gained the gold on the inter-services meet final 12 months. “I was comfortable on that track and had good memories. But after three fouls, I was not feeling great. That is when the coach told me that everything is in the mind. ‘You have two more jumps so go all out’. He had faith in me and was confident I would qualify for the World Championships. When the fifth jump was not a foul, it was a relief. Once I jumped 17.19, my aim was fulfilled” Aboobacker mentioned.

To forestall one other foul, Harikrishnan had instructed Aboobacker to begin his run-up with an additional step, and it helped. A fast pep speak reminded him of sustaining an ‘aggressive mindset’.

“I keep telling the jumpers not to chase medals but to keep pushing each other. As they keep improving their personal best, medals will follow,” Harikrishnan mentioned.
Gailey Venister, a proficient 22-year-old with a private better of 16.30m, has additionally joined the coaching group. Praveen Chithravel, 20, tipped to be one other future star, is near breaching the 17m mark.

Aboobacker talks of taking intention on the nationwide file. “Going over 17m is breaking a mental barrier. Once that is done, you can do it again and again. One of us will break the national record soon. The only question is who will it be?”