I could have run the 100m under 10 seconds with better training support: Anil Kumar

It is one of the ironies of life that the once fastest man in India can now barely jog 10 metres. But P. Anil Kumar, who held National records in 100m (10.21s unratified) and 200m (20.73s) at the start of the millennium, has taken it in his stride. However, he is disappointed that he was never given his due for his achievements.

The 51-year-old Anil, now settled in the UK, is happy that the 100m is making headlines again in India.

“I follow Indian athletics, and I was happy when Gurindervir Singh broke the 10.10 barrier in the 100m. I had always believed that Indians had the ability to clock under 10 seconds, and it should have happened 10 years ago. I think this is a rare good phase in Indian sprinting, with four good runners pushing each other. Gurindervir has definitely gained from his rivalry with Animesh Kujur, Manikanta Hoblidhar and Amlan Borgohain. Their rivalry has pushed the mark from 10.20 to under 10.10 in just five years, and the future looks very promising,” said the former Olympian.

Anil, who ran with a ‘pawing action’, said the style took a heavy toll on his right knee and that he had to undergo surgery.

“I never had any serious injury in my career. Obviously, there was wear and tear, and it snapped while I was playing basketball with my trainees at SAI, Kollam a few years ago. I had to undergo a surgery and now, I can’t jog even 10 metres. Injuries are part of an athlete’s life. I am okay with it. However, it pains me when no one remembers that I broke Milkha Singh’s long-standing record in the 200m,” he said.

Lack of competition

The former Olympian said he lacked competition domestically and often raced against the clock. His 100m national record was not ratified because of the absence of a doping test.

Anil believes he could have gone under 10 seconds with better training support.

“I knew I had it in me to go under 10 seconds in the 100m. But I needed specialised training. I trained in Russia for two months before I set the 200m national record, and it helped me. My request to train in the US for two years wasn’t approved by the Army, and the federation wasn’t keen either. It still remains my biggest disappointment. Apart from my national records, I consider the silver medal in the 100m at the Jakarta Asian Athletics Championships in 2000 my proudest moment,” he said.