Nashik boy bags gold at Asian Youth Championship

Making the nation proud, Kisan Tadvi, a Nashik boy who hails from the tribal belt of Nandurbar, has bagged the gold medal at the Asia Youth Athletic Championship held at Doha, Qatar.

The athlete, with a small stature and contrastingly big grit and determination, took off with a lead right from the start and maintained it till the end of the 3000 metre race, which he completed in 8.26.24 minutes. Japan's Ono Chihiro came second, clocking 8.37.29 minutes, while Yemen's Salim Ghar finished third taking 8.37.65 minutes.

Coach Vijendar Singh of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) spotted young Kisan at the divisional level. He was then shifted to Nashik to train under the coach at the SAI centre, Bhonsala Military School.

Currently studying at the Bhonsala Military College, Kisan also brought home laurels on winning at the national games held in Goa recently.

"Kisan has performed very well. Great stamina and ability to run fast are his strengths at track and field events. At Doha too Kisan utilized his abilities to the optimum. His achievement is remarkable as over 40 top international athletes from Asia had participated in this event," stated coach Vijendra Singh.

Kisan, however. was a little disheartened as his aim was to beat the distance in under 8.20 minutes. "The climate was humid and I relaxed a little after the initial lead that I got. Though I am happy I bagged the Gold for my country, I have to improve next time," said Kisan about his performance.

He is being sponsored by Mahindra and Mahindra.