After proving his mettle in several national championships, 66-year-old veteran athlete Achinto Pramanik has added yet another feather in his cap.
Pramanik, a resident of Gamharia in Seraikela-Kharsawan district, secured the first position in the 25km run under 65 and above age category at the fifth edition of Tata Steel Kolkata 25k run-a-thon partnered by The Telegraph on Sunday.
The lanky athlete finished the race in 2:09:15 seconds to walk home with a medal and Rs 20,000 cash prize.
According to Pramanik, Sunday’s win gave him the impetus to compete in more marathons and fulfill his dream of representing his country in world championships.
“After winning in Calcutta, I feel motivated to compete in more marathons across the country and fulfil my dream of competing in international masters athletics events. I am a middle-distance runner but still topped the 25km run. I think I can win more mar-athons and in this way fetch prize money to fund my trips to international events,” he said.
Pramanik is currently eyeing the Asian Masters Meet to be held in Malaysia in April next year. He also stands a bright chance to participate and win prize money in at least three marathons coming up in Bhubaneswar, Mumbai and Hyderabad between January and March.
“I don’t run long distances. I feel extremely tired and my muscles have got tightened. I am taking rest and will start preparing for the upcoming marathons from Thursday,” Pramanik, who runs a grocery shop near his residence, said.
The athlete had missed a chance to represent India at the World Masters Athletics Championship in Lyon, France held in August 2015. “I had managed to send an entry to participate in the 2000m steeple chase but could not afford financially. I needed Rs 1.5 lakh to go to France and approached the state government as well as corporate sector but none came forward to help. I was very disappointed,” Pramanik recalled.
According to him, the Masters Athletics Federation of India don’t sponsor athletes for international competitions. “Athletes like us have to arrange money on our own. I am not that rich to take care of my expenses. But now I am looking forward to fulfil my dream. I think I will be able to collect about Rs 50,000-60,000 by winning the upcoming three marathons,” Pramanik said, adding he would be need at least Rs 1 lakh to fly to Malaysia for the Asian Masters Meet .
Athletes who win medals at National Masters Meet get selected in the Indian team for international competitions.
Pramanik has claimed one gold (200m steeple chase), silver (800m) and bronze (1500m) at the national event held in Panjim, Goa, in 2015. He also slotted home three gold (200m steeple chase, 800m and 1500m) and a silver (4x400m relay) at the national meet held in Hyderabad in 2017.
