I might have run the 100m underneath 10 seconds with higher coaching assist: Anil Kumar

It is among the ironies of life that the as soon as quickest man in India can now barely jog 10 metres. However P. Anil Kumar, who held Nationwide data in 100m (10.21s unratified) and 200m (20.73s) at first of the millennium, has taken it in his stride. Nonetheless, he’s disillusioned that he was by no means given his due for his achievements.

The 51-year-old Anil, now settled within the UK, is completely happy that the 100m is making headlines once more in India.

“I observe Indian athletics, and I used to be completely happy when Gurindervir Singh broke the ten.10 barrier within the 100m. I had at all times believed that Indians had the flexibility to clock underneath 10 seconds, and it ought to have occurred 10 years in the past. I feel this can be a uncommon good part in Indian sprinting, with 4 good runners pushing one another. Gurindervir has undoubtedly gained from his rivalry with Animesh Kujur, Manikanta Hoblidhar and Amlan Borgohain. Their rivalry has pushed the mark from 10.20 to underneath 10.10 in simply 5 years, and the longer term seems very promising,” mentioned the previous Olympian.

Anil, who ran with a ‘pawing motion’, mentioned the type took a heavy toll on his proper knee and that he needed to bear surgical procedure.

“I by no means had any severe damage in my profession. Clearly, there was put on and tear, and it snapped whereas I used to be taking part in basketball with my trainees at SAI, Kollam a number of years in the past. I needed to bear a surgical procedure and now, I can’t jog even 10 metres. Accidents are a part of an athlete’s life. I’m okay with it. Nonetheless, it pains me when nobody remembers that I broke Milkha Singh’s long-standing document within the 200m,” he mentioned.

Lack of competitors

The previous Olympian mentioned he lacked competitors domestically and infrequently raced towards the clock. His 100m nationwide document was not ratified due to the absence of a doping check.

Anil believes he might have gone underneath 10 seconds with higher coaching assist.

“I knew I had it in me to go underneath 10 seconds within the 100m. However I wanted specialised coaching. I skilled in Russia for 2 months earlier than I set the 200m nationwide document, and it helped me. My request to coach within the US for 2 years wasn’t authorized by the Military, and the federation wasn’t eager both. It nonetheless stays my greatest disappointment. Aside from my nationwide data, I contemplate the silver medal within the 100m on the Jakarta Asian Athletics Championships in 2000 my proudest second,” he mentioned.