Days after a video went viral on social media where Rameshwar Gurjar — touted to be India's answer to Usain Bolt — reportedly ran 100 metres barefoot in a blitzkrieg 11 seconds, the sprinter failed to impress in an official time trial at Bhopal's TT Stadium.

All eyes were set on Gurjar on Monday as he prepped to showcase his prowess, but it was an anti-climatic end, as he finished the speed test last — clocking 12.9 seconds to run 100 metres.

After the test, however, Gurjar said that running barefoot would have helped him shave precious seconds off his sprint time. He also said that he deserves another chance because he has been experiencing pain in his feet and back muscles.

Gurjar had been called in for the speed test by Madhya Pradesh's sports minister after the video of him running went viral and former CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan appealed to Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju to help Gurjar.

Gurjar will now spend a month in an academy in Bhopal where he will receive training and another speed test will be conducted at the end of the month. 

Zee Media Newsroom