In a moment that blended athletic triumph with touching sportsmanship, 16-year-old sprinter Athul T M from Alappuzha broke a 37-year-old record in the 100m Junior Boys category at the Kerala State School Sports Meet held at the Chandrasekhar Nair Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The long-standing record of 10.90 seconds, set by Ram Kumar in 1988, fell as Athul clocked 10.79 seconds in the heats and 10.81 seconds in the finals.

As the crowd began to disperse after the race, Athul spotted Ram Kumar near the track. The two athletes greeted each other with a handshake that turned into an emotional hug — a symbolic passing of the torch from one generation of sprinters to another. "I wanted my record to be broken. What is the point of holding on to an old record? Let new talents find their space," Ram said, smiling as he watched Athul celebrate.

For Athul, this victory was a dream realized through perseverance and hardship. Coming from a financially modest background, he faced several roadblocks, including injuries and limited training facilities. His coach, P S Samjee, revealed that Athul’s father, an autorickshaw driver, had suffered a major accident recently, which took a toll on the family and the young athlete. “Somehow, we brought him back, and here he is,” Samjee said, visibly emotional as Athul dedicated the gold medal to him.

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The young sprinter’s journey was marked by determination even when faced with injuries during the Junior National Athletic Meet earlier this year. His mentor-teacher, Brijith, explained that Athul had to undergo a special entry process to compete in the state meet as his injury coincided with the selection rounds. Despite challenges like inadequate infrastructure and unpredictable weather in Alappuzha, Athul’s disciplined approach and his coach’s creative training methods helped him rise above the odds.

From a small-town athlete training on a limited 200m track to a record-breaking champion, Athul T M’s story is one of resilience, teamwork, and inspiration. As he continues to train for future competitions, he stands as proof that raw talent, guided by dedication and mentorship, can rewrite history.

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