Bhubaneswar: It’s the hunger to achieve something despite hardships and hurdles that brings out the best in a human being. Odisha’s triathlete Pranab Das is one such passionate sportsperson who plays the game for the love of it.
Pranab’s hard work and endurance earned him a call-up to the national camp for the Commonwealth and Asian Games, which in itself is a rare achievement by Odisha standards.
Triathlon tests an athlete in three disciplines — 1.5 km swimming, 40 km cycling and 10 km running.
The Jajpur-born triathlete qualified for the India camp after winning gold in the National Championships, held in Chennai last month.
The 20-year-old competed with 84 athletes from across the country, completing the one-day event in 2 hours, 30 minutes and 55 seconds at the Nationals.
He has set sights on breaking the national record of 2 hours 10 minutes. And to achieve that goal, Pranab is following a rigorous schedule at Pune where is training with Mini Orange Academy.
Talking about his journey, Pranab said he was a passionate athlete who participated in long-distance races. In cycling, he used to ride between cities but never as a professional. But he had never tried swimming.
“I used to participate in 5 km and 10 km runs in the district and had also qualified for a state-level meet when an injury prevented me from participating. However, I did not give up hope and was on the tracks a few months later,” recalled Pranab.
He started his triathlon journey around 18 months ago in Cuttack after being inspired by Ironman of Triathlon Saubhagya Rath. Cuttack Cyclists Association, too, helped him learn aero tricks to challenge the weather and cut through the wind, said Pranab.
“When I learnt about Ironman Saubhagya Rath, I contacted him on social media and after a few interactions he realized that my body was structured for triathlon. But learning swimming was a challenge, so I started training at Mahanadi,” he said.
“Initially, it was very difficult as I dreaded the water but like magic I soon took to waters like a fish and learnt the tricks of swimming,” he added.
His guide and mentor Saubhagya says, “Pranab has the hunger and passion for doing something for the country. He was very eager to learn the tricks of triathlon. As he was young and was also a long distance athlete, he showed promise.”
His family also supported him by providing the necessary expensive gear for cycling despite coming from a middle-class background, said Saubhagya.
Saubhagya informed that during the lockdown, all swimming pools were closed and Pranab did not have a facility to train as a beginner. “That is when I asked him to swim in the Mahanadi river. For a beginner, it was a challenge but he was a fast learner,” he added.
“It was after an event at Konark that we decided to try the nationals… Mini Orange Academy, which trains sportspersons, agreed to take him under their wings,” added Saubhagya.
He joined Mini Orange 6 months ago and has been training rigorously under the guidance of Aniket Chaudhari and Balaji.
His training included around 4 km of swimming, cycling practice indoor to hit the 315 watt speed and racing, After that, he bettered his own record.
Pranab says he has managed to strike 2 hours and 9 minutes during practice sessions and hopes to keep the momentum to make it to the Commonwealth and Asian Games.
Pranab has won silver in Duathlon (10 km running-40 km cycling-5 km running) by completing in 2 hours on September 30 in Dhanuskodi.
Saubhagya is hopeful, and says that if Pranab is able to complete 11-and-half months’ annual training without any distractions and injuries, chances of his making it to the prestigious global triathlons are quite high.
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