CHENNAI: At the back of his mind, 17-year-old cyclist Antony Raj knows that winning is the only way he can help his family repay the loans they have taken for his career. He is one of four Tamil Nadu athletes qualified for the Asian MTB Championships in the junior section, scheduled for June in Uzbekistan. Hailing from a humble background in Coimbatore, Antony began cycling only two years ago. His father works as a daily wage labourer and a cutting master in a textile company. Back then, Antony neither owned a bicycle nor had the means to travel for competitions. He borrowed bicycles, travelled on loans, and carried a determination that refused to fade.
From Humble Beginnings to National Glory
Antony shared his journey with TOI: “I was interested in cycling from a very young age but due to family situations I could not pursue it. It was my PE teacher, Vignesh, who introduced me to the sport in Class 11. I began with road cycling, and at my first district meet, the chain broke towards the end, forcing me to finish the race by walking alongside my bicycle. Later, during a summer camp, I shifted to MTB cycling under the guidance of coach Sabari.” He won two national medals earlier this year.
Support from School and Coach
After receiving support from relatives, his government school in Vagarayampalayam, and coach Sabari, Antony was able to buy a bicycle worth around Rs 1.3 lakh. However, that model was not suited for difficult terrains. For the Asian meet trials in Haryana, he once again relied on a borrowed bicycle. Coach Sabari arranged a Rs 5 lakh bicycle from another student. The teenager secured the top spot and will now compete in the Cross Country Olympic (XCO) category at the Asian meet.
“It is because of the support of many people, including the parents of my fellow riders, that I am able to stand where I am today. I never knew if I could get to this position, but I feel all the hard work has borne fruit,” said Antony, a trainee at the Western Valley MTB Cycling Track.
Coach Sabari's Praise and Challenges Ahead
Coach Sabari, who has been giving free training for the last 10 years, will see four of his students—S Pranesh, S Sowbarnika, and K Hashini—take part in the Asian meet. He praised Antony: “Whenever I give him training, regardless of the intensity, he does not hesitate and always follows my instructions. In his first state meet in MTB, he finished fifth and then worked hard over the next year to excel.”
Sabari highlighted the equipment challenge: “To compete in international meets, we need at least a Rs 15 lakh bicycle, which he does not have. We might send him with a Rs 5 lakh borrowed bicycle we currently have, or, if that does not work out, he will use his own basic one. Having a good bicycle is important, but he has confidence and has trained hard. We have been receiving support from Tamil Nadu Cycling Association and Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, and I look forward to producing more cyclists.”
