Bhubaneswar: The loudest cheer on the concluding day of National Open Athletic Championships at Kalinga Stadium here on Friday was for Jakarta Asian Games gold medalist Arpinder Singh. The golden athlete also did not disappoint. His triple jump at 16.62 was way ahead of his competitors.
At the Asian Games, Arpinder won the gold with a leap of 16.77 m while his personal best has been 17.17 m. Odisha Bytes caught up the only star attraction of the championship.
Congratulations! How has been Bhubaneswar treating you?
It is amazing. When I came here last year for the Asian Athletics Championships, I was mesmerized by the crowd. Everyone cheers for everyone here. This time, there was not much crowd but people were still warm. I think people here are encouraging. I wish I could go out and visit places.
Were you equally nervous for today’s jump or it varies all the time?
It is different all the time. When I am at an international platform, representing India, the pressure is greater than usual and so is the nervousness. At the Asian Games, I was nervous and worried and it was thrilling to have won the gold. Here today, I was nervous but only to go past the previous jumps.
How do you deal with nervousness?
There is no specific method to deal with nervousness, I guess, It’s ingrained in all of us and I try using it in my favour to do my best. I believe in myself, and that helps.
Do you say something to yourself before the jump?
No. I just remember the techniques told by my coach and I focus on my posture. That is all I think about. I compete with myself and no one else. I make sure that every jump I take is better than the previous one.
Tell me something about your life and journey as a sportsperson?
My father instilled this interest in me, actually. He always wanted to see me at a top-notch platform, winning a gold. He guided me for sometime and I kept trying in 100m, 200m, long jumps. When I was around 14 years old, D S Bal, a coach in Haryana, asked me to try triple jump. There has been no looking back since then. It took me some time to understand triple jump, then I studied in a sports institute as well. Things have luckily worked to my advantage.
What are the most important skills to master the triple jump?
Well-balanced speed, coordination and strength are keys to a good jump.
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My training session jump’s at the Asian Games 2018. #AsianGames2018 #triplejump #teamindia
How do you deal with failure?
I am a very pragmatic person so, I look at what mistakes I made. I work on improving them. My coach helps me a great deal in understanding the lacunae I have.
What about your fitness regime and diet?
Before my organization started taking care about it all, I would eat proper home cooked food with loads of proteins, carbs and strengthening food. I practice every day for six hours, three in the morning and three in the evening. Other than that, I work out to keep myself fit and flexible.
You recently walked the ramp?
(Laughs) Oh, yes. It was for Cinthol and I got to meet Harshvardhan Kapoor. It was my first ramp walk and it was quite exciting.
How do you stay positive?
I think I am a born positive thinker. I don’t have to put in too much effort. I just know what I have to do, which gives me a clarity.
What’s next?
Next is Asian Track and Field and World Championship. I have to start working on myself more now.
Arpinder had also created history by becoming the first Indian to win a medal in the IAAF Continental Cup. He clinched a bronze with 16.59 m, representing Asia-Pacific team in the meet held once every four years.
