Parth Singh Eyes U20 Asian Athletics Qualification in Tumkur After Injury
Last year, Parth Singh made a stunning impression at the National Junior Athletic Championships in Bhubaneswar, where he sprinted to victory in the 100m event for the U20 category with a time of 10.52 seconds. Even in the semifinals, he achieved a personal best of 10.51 seconds, narrowly missing the U20 Worlds qualifying mark of 10.50 seconds. However, he excelled in the long jump, breaching the U20 Worlds qualifying standard of 7.58 meters with an impressive leap of 7.82 meters, positioning himself as a strong contender for selection.
Preparations and Challenges Ahead
Now, Parth is set to compete in the U20 Federation meet in Tumkur, Karnataka, later this week. If he can replicate his long jump performance, he should comfortably meet the Athletics Federation of India's (AFI) qualifying mark of 7.52 meters for the U20 Asian Athletics. Living and training in Taiwan since his parents moved from Ranchi in 2015, Parth is determined to secure his spot in the 100m event as well. However, his preparations have been hampered by a hamstring injury sustained during training a few weeks ago.
"After competing in India, I haven't participated in many events, but this is the competition season and I am quite prepared," said the 19-year-old before traveling to India. "However, during training last month, I pulled my hamstring on my right leg and will have to be cautious while running." Despite this setback, he remains confident but acknowledges the challenge of meeting the AFI's 100m qualifying time of 10.46 seconds for the U20 Asian Athletics.
Family Support and Representation Issues
Parth's parents, particularly his father Sunil Kumar, a software engineer based in Taoyuan, are eager to see him succeed and represent India on the global stage. "Although he began training here from a young age, we initially wanted him to pursue engineering as he grew older," said Sunil. "But his dedication and commitment towards athletics changed our minds. Now, we want him to win medals for India and make the country proud." Currently, Parth is listed as a Taiwan athlete on the World Athletics website, but his family believes this will be corrected once he competes for his birth country, India.
Logistical Hurdles and Coaching Assistance
Training abroad presents logistical challenges for Parth, including long-distance travel to compete in India and difficulties in tracking eligibility requirements for selection. To address this, Jharkhand coach Ashu Bhatiya has stepped in, providing psychological support and keeping Parth informed about necessary steps. "I give him a lot of psychological support and keep him updated on all he needs to do," added Bhatiya. "I am in constant touch with his parents and will offer guidance after he arrives for the Karnataka event."
Parth will need this support as he travels from Thailand to Bengaluru to participate in the competition. Balancing his studies in sports management with athletic pursuits, he remains focused on achieving his goals and making a mark in both sprinting and long jump events.
