“I was determined to win a medal and it did not matter even if I lost a leg,” were the words of determination of Bengaluru skater Dhanush Babu, after winning India’s first-ever medal in the 17th Asian Speed Skating Championships in Lishui, China, on Thursday.
That determination is perhaps the reason for the success. Dhanush along with Vikram Ingale and Nikhilesh Tabhane, created history. The trio came out with all guns blazing to win the bronze medal in the 3,000 metres relay event. This is the first time India has won a medal in competitive skating in two decades. This is also a first in the senior category.
Speaking to Express from China, Dhanush, the youngest of the three, said, “I was the last to start the last 200-metre lap in the race. We were in the fourth position and the only thing that went through my mind was, I am not going to return without a medal. Let me give it whatever I have got, even if it means injuring my leg’. That 200-metre sprint was the best one of my life,” he said.
The Indian team was fourth in the five-team race when Dhanush went for the final push. His late charge resulted in the Indian team getting past Chinese Taipei to clinch the coveted medal. South Korea won the gold and China clinched the silver medal.
About his first stint in the senior category, Dhanush said, “At the national level, the three of us are hardcore competitors. We don’t even talk to each other before the event. But here, representing India, we came together as a force and won the medal. This has definitely boosted our confidence to win more medals as a team in future championships. This team is considered to be a ‘dream relay team’.
From Vidhana Soudha to Asian Championship medal
Dhanush’s mother Sudha Babu, who is also in China, said that she was in tears when her son won the medal. “The hard work and sacrifice that we invested has paved the way for success,” she said.
Recalling how Dhanush got the determination to pursue skating she said, “When Dhanush was three years old, he saw an eagle flying high with its wings spread wide near the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. At that moment, he expressed his desire to do something of that sort. After being enrolled for skating classes, he was not really comfortable. Later, his father Babu started training him in front of Vidhana Soudha and by the time he started practicing in the rink, he was into competitive skating,” she remarked.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Kiran Parashar K M / Express News Service / October 29th, 2016