Athlete Suriya keen to follow in 'brother' Lakshmanan's footsteps

CHENNAI: For many athletes, winning gold at the national level is important to move up the ladder and compete in world events. The ongoing National Open athletics meet has attracted close to 1200, whose aim is to get selected for next year's Commonwealth and Asian Games.

Lakshmanan Govindan, who won gold in men's 5000m on Monday, has already made the cut. But L Suriya, who bagged gold in women's 5000m, still has a long way to go as she did not touch the mark set for qualification. Hailing from Pudhukottai, both have trained under Suriya's father, S Loganathan. Lakshmanan, who refers to Suriya as sister, is backing her to make the cut.

Suriya and Lakshmanan are currently training under Surender Singh. Suriya feels she was able to overcome the language barrier because of Lakshmanan. "Language was not eventually a problem because I was with my brother. Though we didn't go home for nearly two-and-a-half years, I didn't feel homesick because he was with me, encouraging me."

Suriya won the 5000m race with a timing of 16 minutes and 2 seconds, but the Asian Games qualification mark is 15 minutes and 45 seconds. For Commonwealth Games, it is 15 minutes and 9 seconds. Her previous best is 15 minutes and 54 seconds, clocked in the Federation Cup in June 2017. "I know I have the capacity to run under 16 minutes. Being just there and not making it hurts. It was close but slipping away," said the 27-year-old.

Her hopes have not yet vanished, as she also takes part in 10,000m on September 28, where she feels she can pull it off. "The qualifying mark for CWG and Asian Games is 32 minutes 30 seconds and 32 minutes 50 seconds, respectively. I can make it because my personal best in this event is 32 minutes and 40 seconds, at the 2016 South Asian Games. In the inter-zone meet I ran in 32 minutes 53 seconds. I am hoping to prove my worth on Thursday."

However, even if she achieves the qualifying marks now, it won't be enough, becasue athletes will have to touch that again in the Federation Cup in February in Patiala. Asked how difficult it is to prepare for two events, she responds, "We wonder if running 5,000m and 10,000m are possible, but there are people who compete in 21km and 42 km race walk. My coach is the source of inspiration. He says if they can, why can't we. It's about hard work."

srinidhi@newindianexpress.com

Winners: Men: 110m hurdles: Siddanth Thingalya 14.06. Long jump: Shamsheer 7.74m. 100m: MS Sadath 10.57. Javelin throw: Davinder Kang 75.12m. 400m: Jithu Baby 47.08. 1500m: Ajay Saroj 3:41.93 Women: Shot put: Navjeet Kaur 15.23m. 100m: Archana S 11.78. 110m hurdles: Purnima Hembram 13.89. 400m: Soniya Baisya 53.98. 1500m: Archana 4:18.64..