Kamalraj on track after many failures

“I went through a medal drought in my initial stages and bagged my first medal only when I was in Standard 10. I have now come to a stage where I make sure I clinch at least a medal in every meet I participate. I have managed to achieve it except in the senior Nationals,” said Kamalraj.

“I tried my hand at a few sports. I started off with long jump and was unsure if I would succeed. So, I made a desperate attempt to win a medal by shifting my focus to high jump. Ifailed in it as well,” he added. 

The triple jumper was awarded the ‘Best Athlete (Boys)’ in the recently concluded 33rd National Junior Athletic Championship in Vijayawada. He put up a stellar show in his event, recording a distance of 16.41 metres. 

He was given a chance to take part in the Inter-Zone Athletic Championship. When there was no one to compete in the triple jump, Kamal Raj grabbed the opportunity with both hands. The Tirupur-based athlete added, “Since there was none to represent my zone in the triple jump category, I had a chance to participate in it. That’s how my journey with the sport started.” 

Kamalraj, who pursues B.Sc Zoology in PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, was all praise for his coach when asked about the influence he has had. “I would have probably given up sport, had he not motivated me during my struggles. I learnt a lot of nuances only after joining under him. I am grateful to my PT master for guiding me to train under Nizammuddin,” Kamalraj signed off.