Shahrukh Rocks It

Giridih, Aug. 22: This Giridih lad has won a gold in 100m national event, but still waits for recognition.

It was on August 16 at Bhubaneswar that Shahrukh Azad won 100m sprint in the Under-14 category of the 21st Eastern Zone Athletic Championship.

The victory is special because athletes from 11 other states took part, among who he secured highest position.

Besides, in October last year, he won the bronze in the inter-district National Athletic Meet at Haridwar.

“A year ago, I had participated in a competition at school. After seeing my performance, the school coach Roop Narayan sir suggested that I take interest in athletics,” the young Shahrukh said.

Within a year, he not only became a profession athlete but started winning gold medals too.“I want to represent my country,” he said with hope. “I want to become like Carl Lewis. He had performed consistently. That is the main thing.”

The son of doctor Md. Azad, Shahrukh is also good in academics. A Class IX student of Carmel School, he focuses on his lessons and aims at scoring well in class too. “But now I am spending at least five hours in practice and I enjoy it,” said the little champ.

After completing Class X, he would want to train at the Sports Authority of India. His father rued that the state should have felicitated him for his achievement.