Sport - Athletics

Surender aims to finish in the top ten

BANGALORE: Preeja Sreedharan and Surender Singh, who booked their respective tickets to the Beijing Games praised Belarusian coach Dr. Nikolai Snesarev and the month long stint at the high altitude Munnar in Kerala. Both are at present training at the SAI South Centre here under coach Nikolai.

Surender, the 30-year-old from Garhwal Rifles, knew no competitive running. “I used to run nearly 10 kms everyday to school as a kid, besides which I had no knowledge or guidance. It was only as late as in 2003, during a cross country event I was noticed and adopted by the Army Sports Institute (ASI) which turned my life around,” said a humble Surender, who returned from his European tour with a good measure of confidence in his stride.

``My target is to finish in the top 10 at the Olympics and going by the effort put in, I hope to achieve it,” Surender said.

Surender ran the 10,000m in 28:02.89 seconds finishing fourth at the Spanish Olympic trials at Vigo on July 12, breaking a spate of National records during his stay there.

Preeja on the other hand is realistic. “It will be difficult to aim for any medals…but it sure will not be for lack of trying,” said the 25-year-old, who achieved the qualifying mark (‘B’ standard) at the British Miles Club Elite Grand Prix at Whatford on July 14.

“My mother and brother were hopeful of my Olympic tryst, than me. I’m yet to come to terms with the reality of having made the mark…but at the same time feel sad for my fellow long and middle distance runners from India — Sinimol Paulose, Sushma Devi and Chaitholi Hamza — who have not made the mark yet,” said a visibly elated Preeja.

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