It was a golden double for G. Lakshmanan (27), who hails from Sokkurani in Pudukottai district, at the Asian Athletics Championship that concluded in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.
Lakshmanan, serving in the Army, won gold medal in the 5000 metres event on the opening day of the four-day championship and clinched another gold in the 10,000m event on the final day. He bagged the 5000m bronze and 10,000m silver in the previous edition of the championship at China.
“He has made the country, State and district proud,” said an elated S. Loganathan, Lakshmanan’s first trainer. The 27-year-old has qualified for the World Athletics Championship to be held in London next month in both the events.
“Lakshmanan was born in a poor family. From the time he joined our club while in mid-teens, he exhibited self-belief and determination, traits that enabled him to reach this level,” said Mr. Loganathan of the Kavinadu Youth Sports Club, making a special mention about the key role played by his current coach Surender Singh in moulding Lakshmanan into an outstanding athlete.
Recalling the days when Lakshmanan along with other trainees of the Kavinadu Youth Sports Club used to practice on the tar roads and village streets, Mr. Loganathan said the villagers provided the youngsters with water and buttermilk as refreshment.
“Every help counts. Especially, our club president P.VR. Sekaran has been a pillar of strength for us,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Loganathan’s daughter and international athlete L. Suriya, an employee of Southern Railway (Tiruchi division), finished fourth in both the 5000m and 10,000m events at the championship.
“It is a great feeling that two athletes from our club competed in the Asian championship. I am sure many youngsters in the district will be inspired to take up athletics,” Mr. Loganathan added.
