Age is just a number for ‘Rae Bareli Express’ Sudha Singh
LUCKNOW:Age is just a number for two-time Asian Games medallist long distance runner Sudha Singh and she is ready to make a mark at 2021 Olympics if she qualifies for the event.
Singh, who had won a silver medal at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games after winning a gold at 2010 Asian Games at Guangzhou, is training hard at the national camp at NIS Patiala nowadays even in the lockdown.
“Yes, age is a just a number for me as even after winning my first gold medal in 2010 at just 24, I have been dreaming for a podium finish and I am very sure of qualifying for the my third Olympics,” Singh said on Sunday. “Had age been a problem, I would have not won a silver medal at 32 at Jakarta Asian Games in 2018.
“It’s all in your mind. Stamina and courage to achieve success keep you motivating and I am a firm believer of this policy. In fact, I never thought about my age while running on the track and always try to draw inspirations from other ageing athletes who have on medals at the top level.”
“Even before 2018 Jakarta Games, I was discouraged by many because of my age but I proved my critics wrong and won a silver medal. I know that even at 35, I would be able to do well in marathon.”
At 2016 Summer Olympics, Singh fell ill after competing and returned to India where she was diagnosed with swine flu.
She finished 13th in steeplechase at 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
“People may be thinking that I am overconfident about my qualifying for 2021 Olympics. In fact, I could have qualified if the Olympics were held on time this year. In fact, in training I am quite close to the qualifying mark in marathon.”
Better known as ‘Rae Bareli Express’, Singh, who also has a gold medal and three silver medals at Asian Championships between 2009 and 2017, has not been getting real training but is doing a lot of hard work on her fitness for four hours a day even when all national campers are almost in a self-quarantine mode.
“We are almost in a self-quarantine mode on NIS campus, taking no unnecessary risks. In fact, it’s not too different than my routine as I have been following this system since long. It’s not because of any personal threat and this has become necessary since the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.”
“After doing training on the lawns of the hostel building at NIS Patiala, I keep myself almost locked in the room throughout the day even though we athletes are allowed to move around the campus,” she said, adding, “Nowadays, I listen to motivational songs, discourses and even read the ‘Gita’ or the ‘Ramayana’ to keep myself motivated.”
Singh, who has built a temple ‘Sankat Mochan Dham’ outside her house in Rae Bareli, worships the lord through video call every morning. “Every morning, I talk to my parents on video calling and they help me take the blessing of the lord. Even at hostel room, I spend a good time in performing puja everyday.”
She, however, said that she was missing her home very much. “It’s almost 8-9 months that I haven’t visited my parents in Rae Bareli. I am missing them a lot but at the same time I find that in a way staying at the hostel during the lockdown is much safer.”
“On the campus here in Patiala, all the athletes within the campus have been strictly following WHO guidelines, including regular hand washing and use of sanitiser throughout the day. We have also been told about dos and don’ts.”
“Amid corona pandemic, I feel bad about the people who are in the grip of the disease the world over and pray for their quick recovery. In fact, deferring of 2020 Olympics to 2021 has given me more time to prepare well.”