Having claimed medals in national and state championships, veteran athlete Achinto Pramanik is gearing up for the second edition of Ironman 70.3 race to be held in Goa in November.
One of India's first endurance race events since the pandemic, the event returns with participants having to complete 1.9 Km swim, 90 Km cycling and a 21 Km run, in some of Goa's most iconic locations. The inaugural edition was held in 2019 with over 1,100 triathletes from Switzerland, Singapore, France, Germany, Australia, Qatar, Japan and more fought for top honours. Triathletes can look forward to crossing the finish line with their best performance, as registrations for this year's race opens at 9:00 am on Friday.
The 70-year-old Pramanik, a resident of Gamharia in adjoining Seraikela-Kharsawan, is gearing up for the Goa event, Presently, he is running and cycling long distances in the mornings and evenings.
"Well, I am taking Ironman 70.3 as a challenge. I am working hard and trying to come up with a solid show in Goa. I am cycling 60 km (up and down) and would slowly and gradually increase the workload. I am running 40 km (up and down). I would start swimming at the Sitarampur dam in due course of time," Pramanik said.
According to him, he was looking for a sponsor to fund his trip to Goa. "Registration fee for the event is Rs 50,000. I would need at least Rs 1 lakh," Pramanik added. The fit and agile Pramanik practices stretching exercises at his home.
Talking about his routine, he said, "I leave home early morning. I take the new Domuhani bridge and proceed towards NH 33. Keeping my age in mind, I vary my pace and try to take things easy. I run alone and enjoy it to the fullest.".
He won the second slot in the 65 years and above age category at the fifth edition of the Tata Steel Kolkata 25k run-a-thon in December, 2018. Pramanik also finished second, behind Singapore's Peter Allen, in the Delhi half-marathon (21 km) by clocking 1 hr 51 minutes. The event was held virtually in November 2020.
"Running comes naturally to me. I think age should not be a barrier for pursuing any sporting activity. In fact, I don't feel tired running. I want to continue it till my body permits," the veteran athlete said.
According to him, he wants to compete in as many marathons as possible and fulfil his dream of representing the country in world championships. “I have made it to the national masters athletics teams for international competitions on more than one occasion. The goal is to win the prize money since nobody comes forward to sponsor my trips. I have been selected in the Indian team for world competitions but had to back out due to paucity of funds,” he added.
He missed a chance to represent India at the World Masters Athletics Championship in Lyon, France held in August 2015. He managed to send an entry to participate in the 2000m steeplechase, but could not afford the trip as Rs 1.5 lakh was needed to go to France.
The Masters Athletics Federation of India doesn't sponsor athletes for international competitions. Pramanik, who runs a grocery shop near his home, stays with his family.
He has won one gold (200m steeplechase), one silver (800m), and a bronze (1500m) at the national event held in Panjim, Goa in 2015. He also bagged three gold medals (200m steeplechase, 800 m and 1500 m) and a silver medal (4x400 m relay) at the national meet held in Hyderabad in 2017.
The Ironman 70.3 Goa 2022 will be conducted in all its glory and full capacity with the collaborative efforts of the government of Goa, Goan civic authorities and the Goa Police. With a single-minded focus on the safety of all participants, volunteers, state workforce, and spectators, the event will maintain all state government-advised Covid protocols.
