Bronze triumph at Khelo India Youth Games: Tauseef overcomes challenges to shine

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In the year 2020, Uttar Pradesh long jumper Mohd Tauseef faced a pivotal moment in his budding sports career. Just a week after joining the SAI STC at Bareilly, he received distressing news – his mother had fractured both legs and injured her hands in a fall from their home terrace in Pratapgarh. With his father working as a driver in Saudi Arabia, the then 15-year-old Tauseef made the selfless decision to put his career on hold and return home to support his family.

Back in Pratapgarh, Tauseef found himself devoid of training facilities and on the verge of giving up on his athletic dreams. It took almost a year, but once his mother recovered, he gradually resumed training in his hometown.

Fast forward to Tuesday night, and Tauseef achieved a remarkable feat, clinching a bronze medal at the Khelo India Youth Games 2023 with a jump of 7.06m. Elated with his performance, he reflected on the challenges he overcame.

“I was at the SAI centre for just a week or 10 days when I got news of my mother’s accident. My father was abroad, and it was difficult for my younger brothers to care for my mother. So, I decided to leave my career and training to be with my family,” shared Tauseef, who has two elder and two younger brothers.

The struggle was real, and Tauseef admitted, “Training wasn’t even in the mind at that time. I wanted to support my family. I did not want to give up, but due to a lack of training, my performance took a backseat.”

With the support of his family, Tauseef’s father, who recognized his potential as a long jumper, played a crucial role in redirecting his sporting journey. Originally a kabaddi player, Tauseef switched to athletics in 2019 after his father noticed his exceptional long jump skills during a local sports competition.

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“My father was very impressed with my skills in long jump, and he insisted that I continue with the sport,” said Tauseef. His journey took off from there, leading him to participate in the UP State U-14 competition and eventually securing a spot at the SAI training center.

While it took time for Tauseef to regain his rhythm, the year 2023 marked a turning point. He clinched a bronze at the Sub-Junior Nationals and followed it up with another bronze at the School Games in December, earning him a spot at the Khelo India Youth Games.

“The two medals helped me regain belief in my abilities as a sportsman. My family has always been very supportive, and this bronze (at the KIYG 2023) is my career’s third bronze,” expressed Tauseef.

Now, after a hat trick of bronze medals, the determined 18-year-old aspires to break the trend. He promises to change the color of the medal once he steps into the U-20 circuit, showcasing an unwavering spirit and a commitment to turning adversity into triumph.

-IANS

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