Indian Athletes: In conversation with 17 international medal winner, Senior Olympian and triple jump athlete, Parag Patil as he talks about his illustrious accolades, hardships and advice on how to combat COVID
A land laden to the brim with people who have lived extradonaire land, India offers intriguing stories at every nook and cranny. And one such enthralling story is of Senior Olympian and triple-jumper Parag Patil who as of today has won a gargantuan 17 international medals for the medal.
A man from an extremely humble background, Parag was buoyed by his family’s strength behind him rather than being fazed by his circumstances. His rousing fight and character saw him win a string of national awards in triple-jump, 4*100m relays before he flew the Indian flag high at the Veteran’s Athletics Championship with three silver medals.
Indian Athletes: Parag Patil Lays Down The Marker At The Senior Olympics
Going from strength to strength ever since, Parag went onto win a silver and two bronze medals at the Senior Olympics in Italy, four silver and one bronze medal at the Australia Games and a silver at the Senior Olympics in New Zealand.
Parag Patil talked about his illustrious journey, his current venture MaxFit India along with offering his advice on how to stay fit during the ongoing COVID pandemic as he sat down with us in our The Grail’s Sermon series.
Your foray into the world of running was made as early as 9 nine years old when you ran behind your school bus. Would you like to elaborate on your childhood and background?
I hail from an extremely humble background but I was least deterred by that. My family was a source of strength for me from day one with them spurring me on to give a good account of myself on the global stage.
My initial training began with my coach asking me to chase his Bajaj Chetak on broken roads. Despite severe swelling, bleeding and pain, there came a day when I finally managed to overtake his scooter and decided to take athletics up seriously from thereon.
The world knows about your sporting accolades but few know that you have a Masters in Science as well. How difficult was it to balance your job along with participating in Long jump, triple jump, 4*100 relay, 4*400 relay events?
I was always spurred by having to give as much my body allowed me to. It’s the basic trait of every successful sports person. For me, it was all about sustaining myself and ensuring I had the bare essentials to keep going in life.
Hardships and adversaries for me are something life throws our way to test our will, valour and resolve. Nothing comes easy in life and there are no shortcuts. I used to be severely malnourished during my initial days leading to me profusely vomiting and being left knackered during training.
However, its that period which has moulded by journey and allowed me the ability to unleash my full mettle as an athlete.
One silver and two bronze medals at Senior Olympics in Italy, four silver and one bronze medal at the Australia Games, accolades by Australia’s Premier and a silver at the Senior Olympics In New Zealand. These are laurels which not even the richest and best athletes in the country have. What message do you have for upbringing athletes across India?
As long as you have unbridled dedicated towards the tricolour and are willing to give everything to ensure you represent India to the best of your abilities, nothing can stop you in life.
I was injured during the Senior Olympics in New Zealand but came back to win a silver at the event. Fortitude and gallantry can traverse any kind of arduous and gruelling moments in life. The color around your shoulders isn’t affected if you run with an empty stomach or have the most worldclass equipment at your disposal.
For me, there’s been no prouder moment in life than lifting the country’s flag in the air at international events. It’s a feeling I can’t emote and I assure as long as any upbringing athlete from the grassroots level has this drive and hunger, consummate success is his in life.
Your ventures Letszrun and MaxFit India, assiduously provide training and physiotherapy courses to people of all facets and Indian athletes. What has the journey been like in setting up your own venture?
I had first thought of this concept in Italy upon seeing their sprawling stadiums and exemplary sporting sessions. A developed country always has two outstanding facets, a wordclass army and an exquisite sporting structure in place.
This is what I wanted to bring to Indian athletes and ensure that the India unleashes its true potential. This is a country filled to the top with exceptional and sensational people in the sporting fraternity, people I aspired to groom.
Letszrun was given birth to with the concept of going the length from climbing up your stairs to running for the country for Indian athletes whilst MaxFit India offers sports physiotherapy and fitness courses to people knackered with excruciating injuries.
Given that we are in the midst of the COVID pandemic, what would be your advice to people on how to stay fit?
One thing which the ongoing pandemic has done is make people realise the importance of exercise. People who have managed to keep stave breathing problems have successfully managed to combat the disease and have veered clear of being admitted to the hospital.
Of paramount importance when it comes to fitness during the lockdown is ensuring regular exercise. A stiff body results in stiff muscles which in turn affect your body’s resilience and activeness.
Basic stretching exercises, a walk around your house, ensuring you get up from your desk every 1 hour for a 10 minute period, a good straight posture should keep your body in fluent touch and tie up the loose ends. Also, it is pertinent to ensure a 2-3 litre intake of water per day to remain hale and hearty.