BANGALORE: From a long hopper to a no-hoper to a champion. That’s National decathlon champion and new record holder Bharatinder Singh’s story in short.
The Haryana lad garnered 7658 points to better Jora Singh’s five year old mark of 7502 points set in 2006 in Delhi to win the decathlon event and set a new national record, the only one to fall at the national meet here.
Bharatinder was long jump exponent till 2007 when he did well at the national level and also bagged the inter-university title. But a knee injury forced him to abandon the event. “I thought my career was over and as I underwent treatment. Slowly I recovered and got back to the track,” he said.
“My father Satbeer Singh Cheema, himself a national level athlete, advised me to give up long jump and try decathlon instead. I began to practice the track and field events and from 2009 onwards, I took to decathlon in a serious manner,” said Bharatinder. “I began training under Ranjeet Singh Randhawa, son of the famed decathlete Gurbachan Singh Randhawa,” he added.
Bharatinder had the following performances: 10.83 in 100m, 7.45 in long jump, 14.67 in shot put, 1.95 in high jump, 49.83 in 400m, 15.27 for the 110m hurdles, 48.71 in discus throw, 4.00 for pole vault, 62.85 for javelin throw and 5:24.18 for the 1500m for a total of 7658 points and a new national record.
“I was good in sprints and jumps. So it was a little easier. I had 10.83 in the 100 metres and that was very good for decathlon. I did pretty well in all events except in the pole vault and 1500 metres. Endurance has been my problem more than speed. I must improve my pole vault for I can earn at least 350 or so more points,” he said.
“I had no practice after the Commonwealth Games, if not I might have done better,” he said.
“If I improve in pole vault, I can touch 8,000 points which is also the World championship and Olympic qualifying mark. Right now, I want to improve on my national record and do well in the Asian championships,” he pointed out.
Asked if had any decathlete on whom he modelled his own style and performance, Bharatinder said that the famous Czech decathlete Roman Sebrle was his idol.
“I admire Roman a lot. I never miss an opportunity to see him in action and I must say he has been my inspiration,” said Bharatinder.
“I am confident of a good show in the ATF and then let’s see how it goes,” said the soft-spoken and determined Bharatinder.
