To represent India in U-20 World Athletics Championships in Peru
August 18, 2024
By Paritosh Pramanik
In his early days, he used to get dejected for not finishing on the podium during the district and division competitions. But this Krida Prabodhni Nagpur’s sprinter from Buldhana, kept believing in himself and finally cracked the code.
Nayan Sarde, all of 19, will be representing India at the World Junior (Under-20) Athletics Championship to be held in Lima, Peru, South America from August 27.
Sarde, who has been representing Krida Prabodhini since 2019, will be rubbing shoulders with top athletes from USA, France, Germany, to name a few, in the 110 metres hurdles event.
“I am confident of performing well in the competition. This being my first international competition, I am a bit nervous but I have trained well in the past one month and will give my best,” said Sarde, while talking with ‘The Hitavada’, from Bengaluru.
Sarde became the first athlete from Vidarbha to be selected in Indian team in this category. He has been exceptional in 110m hurdles this season. He got selected in the Indian team on the basis of his excellent performance in the qualifiers and selection competitions during the Indian Grand Prix at Bengaluru.
The Buldhana lad is training at SAI Bengaluru camp will leave for Lima with the Indian team on August 21.
“I am training at Bengaluru. Coaches here have asked me to train the way I am training in the past. They did not burden me with any new techniques. I am really working hard and am sure of a good show. My first target will be to better my personal best timing (14.11 secs) and then qualify for the semis,” said Sarde, who’s father Dilip is a former athlete and working in Police Department.
During Sarde’s formative days, Ganesh Jadhav and Anil Ingle gave him basic training in hurdles at Buldhana.
After coming to Nagpur, he improved his performance under the guidance of coach Samsher Khan.
He made his presence felt by winning a gold medal in the 110m hurdles in the 18 years category at the Junior National Championships held in Guwahati in 2021.
“No doubt the competition will be very tough in Lima. However, I am confident of performing on the big stage,” added Sarde.
The lanky sprinter said he wants to participate in the World University Games which will be held next year.
“I will work hard to qualify for the World University Games next year,” he confidently said.
Nayan’s major achievements
2024: Junior Federation Cup Silver Medal (14.23 seconds)
2023: Junior Federation Cup Gold Medal (14.18 seconds)
2023: Junior National Athletics Bronze Medal (14.30 seconds)
(Under 18 Age Group)
2022: National Youth Athletics Silver Medal (14.29 seconds)
2022: Junior National Athletics - Gold Medal (14.28 seconds)
(All 110m hurdles)
Vidarbha’s international athletes
Olympian Rajeev Balakrishnan: 110m hurdles silver medallist at South Asian Games
Aparna Bhoyar-Thakre South Asian Games bronze medallist
Charulata Naigaonkar-Behare: Asian Athletics Championship fourth place finisher
Madhuri Gurnule: Afro-Asian Games participant
Kalpana Bante-Chikhle: Junior Asian Athletics Games participant
Vaishali Fating-Kshetrapal: International Athletics Grand Prix participant
Nikita Raut, Prajakta Godbole, Monica Raut: World University Games participants.
