Beginner's luck, third time lucky, all rolled in one? Yes, if you take the case of hurdler Siddhanth T from Mumbai. Not only did he win gold, he also broke the national record in the 110m hurdles in his third senior meet at the National Inter State Athletics championships here on Saturday. He clocked 13.81s to beat the previous record of 13.96s.
Siddhanth's romance with the track made him change from high jump to sprint. Starting his career as a jumper, he felt his natural ability to explode and run.
It was natural that he transformed himself into a hurdler where he needs speed as well as the ability to clear the obstacles. Ever since he started running, four years ago, he only improved his timings and flourished on the senior circuit. At the Junior Asian Championships in Hannoi he clocked 13.96s and equalled the previous senior national record set by Krishan Mohan K.
The 19-year-old also said he had expected a good show here. “I was expecting to run under 14sec, but then the national record happened,” he said. “I am very happy that I have achieved this mark at this age. And my target is the London Olympics.”
His coach Ajit Kulkarni believes he is made for better things and since age is on his side, he can run below 13.50s. Though he missed the Commonwealth Games mark of 13.80s, he felt he might be considered by the selection panel for the Delhi Games.
{{/usCountry}}His coach Ajit Kulkarni believes he is made for better things and since age is on his side, he can run below 13.50s. Though he missed the Commonwealth Games mark of 13.80s, he felt he might be considered by the selection panel for the Delhi Games.
{{/usCountry}}T Muthusamy of Tamil Nadu (14.46s) secured the silver ahead of Amamndeep Singh (14.46) of Punjab.