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Looking for rapid strides
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Hurdler P. Shankar aims for a greater glory at the Asian level championships
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Photo: K. Gajendran
Aiming high P. Shankar is determination personified
P. Shankar, one of the well-known athletes from Hyderabad and 400 m hurdles record-holder in the Federation Cup, hopes to gun for greater glory at the Asian level. For, he realises that despite his impressive performances in the national circuit, it is time for him to cross the domains of his home country.
"I sincerely believe that a gold medal at the Asian level is within my reach," he says. "Luckily, my first coach (Nagapuri Ramesh of SAI) is with me in the national camps too. As he has been with me from my school days, he knows what I require."
This duo has taken a decision that Shankar will henceforth concentrate only on 400 m hurdles and the 4 x 400 m relay.
"No doubt, it is a difficult phase. But essentially it involves improving the stride length. Till now I have been completing the 400 m hurdles in 15 strides and now my target is 14 strides," says Shankar.
This athlete hails from a family of 11 brothers and sisters from the Yerrabids Tanda in Mahabubnagar district. Spotted by former SAI coach M. Ranga Rao and then moulded into a champion by N. Ramesh, Shankar rarely disappointed his coaches ever since his days in the A.P. Sports School.
But he continues to be the solitary earning member of his large family. Due to the initiative of Andhra's first chess I.M. Lanka Ravi, an officer in O.N.G.C., Shankar got the job of a junior superintendent in the same organisation.
Before participating in the World Championship, Shankar has to meet the qualifying mark of 49.50 sec in 400 m hurdles. "I don't think it should be a problem. My silver medal performance (50.74) in the Asian All-Stars meet late last year gave me the confidence. We are working with that goal in mind," he explains. Shankar and his coach are also in constant touch with Russian coach Yuri in fine-tuning his skills.
Jarring notes
But the jarring note is that Shankar has not been able to find a sand track and is thereby missing valuable training sessions. With the G.M.C. Balayogi Stadium about 20 km away and because of the scorching heat, athletes are reluctant to go there.
Another drawback is that Shankar doesn't have video facility to make an assessment of his performances. He is awaiting the release of cash incentives pending since 2002 for his outstanding performances. "I should have one handy-cam so that I can understand what adjustments I need to make," he says. But, what is certain is that Shankar is determination personified. He knows that the next 12 months can be the most crucial and he is in the mood to make rapid strides in the world of athletics.
V.V.S.
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