Indian triple jumper Abdulla Aboobacker clinched the gold medal in the men’s triple jump event at the prestigious Qosanov Memorial 2025 meet held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, reaffirming his status as one of India’s top track and field athletes. With a best leap of 16.08 metres, Aboobacker edged past a strong challenge from the Republic of Korea’s duo Yoo Gumin and Kim Jung-woo, who both recorded equal best jumps of 16.07 metres.
Despite the razor-thin margin separating the medalists, it was Aboobacker who maintained composure and consistency to take the top podium position. The South Korean athletes were locked in an intense battle for silver and bronze. Ultimately, Yoo Gumin secured the silver medal based on countback rules, as his second-best jump was 15.90 metres, narrowly ahead of Kim Jung-woo’s second-best effort of 15.87 metres, relegating the latter to bronze.
Aboobacker’s performance in Almaty may not have matched his season’s best or personal record, but it came at a crucial time as he continues his pursuit of a berth at the World Athletics Championships 2025, scheduled to take place in Tokyo, Japan, from September 13 to 21. Earlier this year, the Kerala-born athlete equaled his personal best of 17.19 metres at a meet in Bengaluru, showing he is capable of breaching the elite marks required at the global level.
The automatic qualification standard for the World Championships in men’s triple jump is set at 17.22 metres. While Aboobacker has narrowly missed this mark, he remains well-positioned to qualify via the world ranking quota, thanks to his consistent performances on the international circuit. With the qualification window closing on August 27, every meet is now critical for the Indian jumper to secure his spot among the world’s best.
This victory not only boosts Aboobacker’s confidence but also adds valuable points to his world ranking, enhancing his chances of being included in the final entry list for Tokyo. It also reflects India’s growing prominence in the field events of athletics, especially in triple jump, where the country has produced notable talents such as Eldhose Paul and Praveen Chithravel in recent years.
Aboobacker’s achievement in Kazakhstan serves as a testament to his dedication, resilience, and continued pursuit of excellence on the global stage. As the countdown to the World Championships intensifies, all eyes will be on the Indian athlete to see if he can carry this momentum forward and represent India with distinction in Tokyo.
His latest gold medal at the Qosanov Memorial is more than just a win—it’s a sign that Abdulla Aboobacker is leaping steadily towards global success, with Tokyo firmly in his sights.
