"Worked hard, believed in myself": Sprinter Gurindervir Singh after record-breaking win at Federation Cup
Ranchi, May 24
Athlete Gurindervir Singh expressed delight at his achievement of clinching a gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle race at the Federation Cup in Ranchi on Saturday.
Gurindervir became the first Indian man to clock sub-10.10 seconds in the men's 100m, storming to victory with a sensational national record time of 10.09 seconds.
Speaking to ANI, Gurindervir Singh said he was delighted with his performance and hopes to continue delivering strong results in the future. He added that mental toughness played a crucial role in his race, helping him stay focused and perform well.
"It is a very good feeling. Hopefully, I will train well and bring good results in the future. In the last minute, the game is more about being mentally strong than being physically strong. I was able to keep myself mentally strong yesterday, and that is why I was able to run well," he said.
Gurindervir credited his success to the constant support of his family, coaches, and support staff. He especially thanked his parents for their inspiration and motivation, acknowledged the role of his trainers and dietitian, and praised the Reliance Foundation for providing top-class facilities. He added that hard work and self-belief were key factors behind his achievements.
"There are many people I would like to give credit to. First, I would like to give credit to my family. My father, who inspires me, my mother, who motivates me, and then I would like to give credit to my coach, who trained me. All the coaches I have trained with to date deserve credit. They believed in me and provided me with excellent training. The Reliance Foundation, which provided me with the facilities, has a huge role to play in my success. My dietitian has contributed a lot to my achievements. I worked hard and believed in myself, and everyone else has contributed to my success," the sprinter said.
Gurindervir, 24, shaved 0.06 seconds off the previous national mark, which had been set just a day earlier in the semifinals by Animesh Kujur, as per ESPN.
Notably, Gurindervir himself had briefly held the record after running 10.17 seconds in the semifinals, before Animesh eclipsed it minutes later with a 10.15-second effort.
On Saturday, however, Gurindervir reclaimed the record emphatically, while both sprinters secured qualification for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, where they will represent India in the men's 100m.
Vishal Thennarasu Kayalvizhi, on the other hand, became the first Indian man to break the 45-second barrier in the 400m, also claiming a victory at the Federation Cup with a sensational national record time of 44.98 seconds.
On a historic day for Indian sprinting, Vishal's landmark run came shortly after Singh clocked a stunning 10.09 seconds in the men's 100m, capping off a memorable evening for Indian athletics in Ranchi.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Incredible! Sub-10.10 in the 100m is a massive achievement. And Vishal's 44.98 in the 400m too—Indian athletics is finally on the rise. Great to see this progress!
Amazing achievement! But the article could have shared more about his training regime and diet. These details can guide aspiring athletes. Still, proud moment for India! 🇮🇳
So proud of Gurindervir and Vishal! The way they broke records back-to-back shows the depth of talent we now have. Hope the government and corporates continue supporting such athletes. 👏
Superb! And both have qualified for the Commonwealth Games. This is a golden era for Indian sprinting. Seriously, chills when I saw those timings! 🥇💪
Really happy for them. But I hope the media also highlights the struggles of athletes from smaller towns. Gurindervir's journey should inspire systemic changes in sports infrastructure in Punjab and beyond.
What a historic day! The 10.09 and 44.98 are world-class times. Great to see Indian sprinters making their mark on the international stage. Looking forward to Glasgow
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