May 15, 2017
AFI Media
The third and final leg of the Indian Grand Prix 2017 athletics series concluded successfully at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi on Monday evening, 15 May 2017 as sprinter Muhammed Anas Yahiya shattered his own national record with a flickering timing of 45.32s clinching the gold in Men’s 400m event.
The effort from Keralite also ensured him a berth in the IAAF World Championships 2017 to be held in London from 4-13 August, 2017 for which qualification mark was 45.50s. In June 2016, Anas set the national record with the timing of 45.40s at the Polish Athletics Championships in June 2016.
Rajiv Arokia (46.32s) won the silver while Sachin Baby settled for a bronze medal with the timing of 47.18s.
Anaswas born in a small town of Nilamel in Kerala which is a polestar for talents in athletics and grown up with sports activities around him. His father was also a sprinter during his younger days and the youngster always attempted to fulfill his father’s unaccomplished dreams.
The 22 year old who wanted to be a long-jumper initially, was spotted by physical education instructor, who introduced Anas to athletics when he was less than 10 while he was studying at Mattapally Memorial Higher Secondary School. Ansar noticed the hidden potential in Anas and took him to Kothamangalam where he was introduced to 400m and 400m hurdles.
Soon, the lanky boy was absorbed by Kerala State Sports Council’s elite academy and came under the tutelage of coach P.B.Jaikumar. It was under Jaikumar, Anas made huge strides. He was part of the Kerala’s relay squad that won the silver medal in 4x400m relay in the National Games. There was no looking back for Anas from then on and now he uses all the opportunities that comes on his way to showcase his best to achieve greater heights in his career.
Muhammed Anas was only the third athlete from India to compete in 400m at the Rio Olympics.
India ever had only two runners compete in 400m at the Olympics, the legendary Milkha Singh in 1960 Rome Olympics and K.M.Binu in 2004 Athens Olympics.
Today’s national record of 45.32s will be yet another milestone in the youngster’s career and one that could be a stepping stone to many glory-ridden years ahead.
