CWG medallist Sandeep: Be it in the Army or as an athlete, I’ll be there for India

Sandeep Kumar Poonia, who recently won bronze in the 10,000 metre race walk event at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is always ready to serve the country. The athlete, who serves in the Indian Army, shares the pride he gets out of being a representative of the nation, both in sports as well as in the force.

Athlete Sandeep Kumar Poonia has won bronze in the 10,000 metre race walk event, at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. But, he aspires to perform better in future. “Bahut achha lag raha hai (medal jeetke) kyunki positive soch ke saath gaye the ki desh ke liye medal zaroor lana hai. When the mind thinks with positivity, the body responds in the same way,” shares this Subedar from Indian Army’s Jat Regiment.

Sandeep Kumar Poonia clocked timing of 38:49:21 in the final of 10,000m race walk event at CWG ‘22; it’s also his personal best. (Photo: Twitter)

Hailing from Mahendergarh town in Haryana, Poonia, who was born in a farmer’s family never thought he would become a sportsperson. But that changed after he got acquainted with the sport. Today, the 36-year-old says, “Thodi kami mehsoon ho rahi hai kyunki gold medal nahi laa paaya. Apna Tiranga lehraate hue dekhne ki aur National Anthem ki dhun sunne ki ichha reh gayi. But I’ll make that dream a reality at Asian Games and Olympics!”

He believes the country is now finding its feet globally, in the sports arena since “given the strength of other countries, there is a lot of competition in athletics”. He adds, “The entire world watches thus the pressure is more. But now, Indian athletes are showing we can win at the world level. Jab tak humein deshwasiyon ka aisa hi support milta rahega, humari responsibility hai aur rahegi ki desh ka naam uncha karein, achhi performance dekar... Bhartiya sena mein rehkar bhi desh ke liye sewa kar raha hun aur yahan khel mein bhi. Bahut garv hota hai. Whenever the country needs me, be it in the Army or as an athlete on the ground, I will always be there with all my passion and heart.”

Overwhelmed by the love and adulation coming his way from his hometown, he says, “Bahut khush hain sab. Gaon se, district se, desh se aur bhartiya sena se. Sab logon ka ashirwaad aur support aa raha hai. Once I find the time, I will give everyone back home a call to share with them this joy and happiness.”

Author tweets @karansethi042

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