New Delhi: Servin Sebastian was unlucky to overlook out on a Paris Olympics berth. The outcomes of the race strolling meet in Chandigarh the place he breached the Paris qualification mark weren’t thought of by World Athletics attributable to a technical glitch of the organisers.
India’s Gulveer Singh (R) — right here operating in a home meet — gained the ten,000m on Day 1 of the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea. (HT PHOTO)
There have been a few meets left earlier than Paris however Servin couldn’t repeat his efficiency. A crestfallen Servin determined to take a break from race strolling and never compete this season. It was then that Military coach Basanta Bahadur Rana stepped in and motivated him to look forward and recover from the setback.
The Tamil Nadu race walker has not solely began afresh however is performing with renewed vigour. On Tuesday, Servin took bronze on the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea – his first massive worldwide medal – with a private greatest timing of 1:21:14. Paris Olympian and Asian Video games silver medallist Wang Zhaozhao of China (1:20:37) gained gold, seeing off a tricky battle from Japan’s Kento Yoshikawa (1:20:46). The second Indian, Amit, got here fifth (1:22:14.30).
“I have worked hard this season to win an international medal. Though the disappointment of not going to Olympics still lingers, with encouragement from my coach I was able to look at the bigger goal,” Servin informed HT.
“I was so dejected after the episode that I wanted to take a long break and not do race walking for sometime. I discussed it with my coach but he encouraged me, saying such things are part of an athlete’s life and that I have the potential to do much better,” he mentioned.
Whereas Servin opened India’s medal rely, distance runner Gulveer Singh executed a superb closing kick to win gold in 10,000m.
Asian Video games medallist Gulveer ran a superb final lap to surge previous his rivals and sprint residence with a timing of 28:38.63. His private greatest stands at 27:00.22, the nationwide file which he achieved at a meet within the US in March.
Given the new and humid circumstances, Gulveer did nicely to bide his time earlier than accelerating, abandoning Japan’s Mebuki Suzuki (28:43.84) and Bahrain’s Albert Kibichi Rop (28:46.82), who led for probably the most a part of the race.
“The goal was to finish first and I am happy that I was able to execute my race strategy,” mentioned Gulveer. “There were expectations from me to win gold and this medal will enhance my chances of qualifying for the world championships.”
This efficiency will give him an enormous increase for the 5,000m race on the final day of the competitors (Might 31). Gulveer has been on a record-breaking spree this season and has certified for the September Tokyo worlds in 5,000m by way of entry normal (12:59.77), achieved at a meet at Boston College.
At his Diamond League debut in Doha on Might 16, Gulveer completed ninth. He skilled in Doha after which in Delhi and was capable of alter to the new circumstances in Gumi. Water stations have been in place through the race. “I wanted to conserve my energy for the last lap. I wasn’t feeling tired after crossing the finish line. If someone had pushed me, I could have gone faster,” he added.
The second Indian within the race, Sawan Barwal, completed fourth clocking 28:50.53.
Earlier, Servin gave India begin. This season, Servin has proven high type within the home circuit profitable gold on the Nationwide Video games (1:21:23) and Indian Open Race Strolling Competitors (1:21:47). “I want to do well in every race so that I can compete at the world championships.”
The efficiency in Gumi will give an enormous increase to his world rankings and the Race to Tokyo rankings. He’s at the moment forty fifth, with 50 slots out there for the race walkers on the worlds.
Servin might have performed higher had he not stopped for a water break at a vital juncture. In sizzling and humid circumstances, Servin did nicely to stick with the main pack of seven athletes for a significant a part of the race. Breaking off from the pack, he maintained tempo behind the Chinese language and Japanese walkers.
“It was a mistake to go for water so close to the finish line with two km left. I was already in a medal position but could have done better. Once they went ahead the gap widened and I could never catch them.”
These are essential learnings for Servin, who has emerged as India’s greatest in 20km race stroll within the final one 12 months.
“He has been a standout performer. He pushes himself in training and is mentally strong,” says Basanta Bahadur Rana.
Girl javelin nationwide file holder, Annu Rani, got here fourth with a greatest effort of 58.30m. In decathlon, Tejaswin Shankar led the sector after the primary day’s occasions.