Dubai-based Angus aims to win medals for Goa

Panaji: Angus Bharucha had plenty to celebrate at the State Athletics Championship, winning two gold medals in the under-18 category in 100m (11.32 seconds) and 200m (23.46).
For the 16-year-old, the timings were encouraging. Given he picked up a silver medal in 4x100m medley, the championship ended on a happy note for the youngster as he dedicated his medals to his maternal grandfather, Augustine Braganza.
Braganza, a former 400m runner, passed away a day later.
"He was my role model and inspired me right from my childhood days,” said Angus. “In fact, he was so happy when I showed him my medals. We often spoke for hours about how to train and his good old running days.”
An affiliated member of RCC, Peddem, Angus is training in Dubai, hoping to get into the Goa athletic squad for the National Games later this year.
"I don't look for gold or silver. My target is to keep improving my timings. I have six months (for the National Games) and my initial target is to stop the clock at 11.05 seconds at the earliest," said Angus.
Angus studies in Class 11 at Springdales School, Dubai, and trains under South African coach Godwin for two and half hours every day.
On a regular day, he attends school in the morning and then heads to the track in the evening session.
"Angus was eight-year-old when he started running and playing basketball. But now, he has chosen athletics over basketball. His routine is pretty much tight, but he loves to run, and his dream is to win gold at home for Goa in the forthcoming National Games," said Goshtasb, Angus' father.
Whenever there is a championship in India, Angus packs his bags and returns home.
“It’s no big deal (to come to India). I don't see it as a hurdle. I have set a target that every time I come home, I must win medals," he said.
Angus takes pride in representing Goa.
“When I take part in various meets, I feel that I am winning a medal for Goa. There is no pressure. I just hear the gun going off and I take off. It is as simple as that,” said Angus.
He’ll hope to be on the starting line when the gun goes off in sprints at the National Games 2023.