Two-Time Olympic Champion Ashton Eaton: ‘Neeraj Chopra Can Inspire a Generation

The 18th edition of the Delhi Half Marathon recently paid tribute to Asian Games champions during the ‘Beyond the Finish Line’ event. Distinguished athletes like HS Prannoy, Priti Lamba, Annu Rani, Kartik Kumar, Saurav Ghosal, and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar were honored in the presence of Dronacharya Awardee Suma Shirur.

Reflecting on his journey, HS Prannoy, an Asian Games medallist, shared, “Until 2018, everything was going smoothly. However, afterwards, I encountered setbacks with injuries and health issues. Nevertheless, the unwavering support from numerous individuals reinstated my belief that it wasn’t the end, reminding me that sports entail ups and downs. There will be challenging times, but you must persevere. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, I decided to reset and start anew. The hard work I’d put in over the years began to yield results, teaching me to manage my body effectively.”

Asian Games gold medallist Annu Rani, recognized as one of Asia’s fastest long-distance runners, and Kartik Kumar, along with the esteemed veteran Saurav Ghosal, discussed their unwavering determination and discipline, which enabled them to break through barriers.

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Annu Rani recounted her journey, stating, “I had to battle with my federation to allow me to train overseas. Initially, I didn’t perform well, experiencing a series of losses in competitions. However, my focus was on winning the Asian Games. It was a make-or-break situation for me, and eventually, I rose to the occasion in Hangzhou, defeating an Olympic and former World Champion. It all came down to the hours of hard work that had preceded that moment.”

Offering insight from an athlete’s perspective, two-time Olympic champion Ashton Eaton, who is the only athlete to have twice surpassed the 9000-point mark in decathlon, emphasized the role of inspiring figures in sports. He drew a parallel with Michael Johnson, known for his iconic golden spikes and remarkable performances, suggesting that Neeraj Chopra could play a similar role in Indian athletics. Eaton expressed that in sports, it’s about celebrating human potential and sharing it with the world, driving athletes to constantly improve and reach their potential.

Asian Games bronze medallist Priti Lamba shared the emotional significance of her victory, saying, “Winning a medal at the Asian Games was extremely important to me. I knew that if I didn’t succeed, it might have marked the end of my journey. I made a promise to give my all and then entrusted the outcome to God. After I won the medal, my father was in tears and told me that I had added ten years to his life.”

The Delhi Half Marathon is set to kick off from the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday.