On a Hurdle High

Arun Kumar Singh started running after 50. By 62, he was winning gold medals. He tells Reshmi Chakraborty the story of his run and what keeps him going.

At 65, when many seniors are planning their retirement, Arun Kumar Singh is planning a run. The 65 year old Kolkata based businessman is planning to participate in the 18th Asia Masters Athletic Championship to be held in Japan in September 2014 and trying to raise funds for the same.

A heavy smoker once upon a time, Singh is an example of discovering his true passion in the later years of his life and giving it all he has. He started running at the age of 52, when he gave up smoking and decided to do something to stay healthy. “I used to go to Victoria Memorial (a celebrated monument in Kolkata) for morning walk and gradually started jogging. “In 1992, I participated in a 10 KM run organised by HSBC Bank in Kolkata and to my surprise, was not only able to complete it but also ranked as the second runner up in my age category!” he says. Having rediscovered his love for running (Singh used to love athletics in school, he says) and also the considerable talent he had for it, he decided to take it up seriously, even getting interested in hurdling. The medals and records followed. Singh ran his first hurdle at the age of 55 at the National Master Athletic Meet in 2008 and got a bronze medal in the 100 m category both that year and the next. He even established a State Meet record in the same event in 2010. But what he considers his greatest achievement is his first gold medal in a 100 m hurdle in February 2012, at the 33rd National Master Athletic Meet at Bangalore in 60+ age category.

What is admirable is that in 2012, Singh had fractured his right leg fibula bone and was incapacitated for 42 days, putting him out of practice and giving him merely 8 months to get back in shape. Despite the injury, he managed to win a silver medal at the 34th National Master Athletic Meet, held in June 2013 at Bangalore. He was also selected to represent India in the 17th Asian Master Athletic Championship, held in Taiwan in November 2012 where he ranked 4th in both the 100 m and 300 m hurdles in 60+ category. Singh has represented India in various other events in his age category, including the World Master Athletic Meet at Porto Alegre in Brazil in October, 2013.

Training for the Asian Masters meet in Japan at the moment, Singh says he hopes to do well in the 64 plus age category. He is trying to raise funds to meet the expenses he will incur to participate in the event and credits his friends and nephew with helping him out. His previous international outings were sponsored by PC Chandra jewellers.

In a country where sports is considered just a hobby and even talented young sportsmen and women are sometimes encouraged to give it up and pursue education, Singh’s story is different one. He says completing that 10 KM run way back in Kolkata was what instilled confidence in him to run and hurdle at a competitive level. “Once you get success confidence comes and you gradually think of doing better.,” he says, adding that he loves hurdles.

He follows a simple protein rich diet as advised by his sports medicine doctor and coach Kalyan Chowdhry. “I exercise regularly and do hurdles two says in the week and a 10 KM run every Sunday,” he mentions adding that seniors should try to stay as fit as they can. “Go for a morning walk and try to start the day with exercise. Do things as your health permits and as advised by your doctor. Singh stays alone and says that he is estranged from his wife but counts on the support of his friends and relatives. “Without support, you cannot move ahead,” is his simple statement.

Singh is raising funds for participating in the 18th Asia Masters Athletic Championship to be held at Kitakami City, Japan in September 2014. If you wish to support him in his endeavour, here’s how the money will be utilised, according to information from Catapooolt, the 

Arun Kumar Singh has been selected to represent India at the 18th Asia Masters Athletic Championship to be held in September 2014. However, coming from a humble economic background, funds is only one challenge which may stop him in his tracks. The fund is to be paid to our National body, i.e., Masters Athletic Federation of India, Bangalore. The fund will be utilised for airfare, boarding and accommodation, insurance, visa charges and other expenses for the trip to Japan.

To find out more or contribute, please visit https://catapooolt.com