His physical education teacher hopes that one day he will be called the ‘Flying Mallan’.
Thirteen-year-old Mallan T M of Sree Ayyankali Memorial Government Model Residential Sports School, Vellayani, won first place in 600 metres race in 1.38 minutes in the T’Puram Revenue District School Athletic Meet at Lakshmibai National College for Physical Education, Kariavattom, which began here on Friday.
Mallan is the fourth of seven children of Mathan and Ranki of the Kurumba tribe, residing at Attappadi in Palakkad district.
In the amateur meet which took place in October, Mallan had bagged second place in the 4x100 metres relay and a third in the 600 metres race. Mallan, who idolises Milkha Singh, aspires to win golds at the national and state-levels and to represent the nation.
Sunu Lal, sports officer of the Sree Ayyankali Memorial Government Model Residential Sports School, said: “Mallan is really hardworking and has improved a lot. Last year, he was in the fifth position in the 600 metres, now he has won a gold”.
“One day he will be as famous like his idol, a flying Mallan,” Godwin, Physical Education Teacher of the school, said
Mallan’s brother Ramesh T M is also a sportsperson who has won a bronze in the state-level cross country event. Mallan said his brother, who is doing his BPE (Bachelor of Physical Education) at the Christ College, supports him very much.