Back in 2014, Vikrant Malik, the 2022 All India University javelin champion, bumped into Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra throughout a junior nationwide meet. There was a quick alternate between the 2 Panipat residents taking part in numerous age teams the place Neeraj invited Malik to coach with him on the Panchkula Stadium. “Both brothers will train together,” remembers Malik, Neeraj instructed me.
But little did he know that a couple of months later, pouring chilly water on his coaching plans would end in a career-threatening elbow harm in his throwing arm. The harm not solely managed to maintain Malik away from the competitors for nearly three years, but additionally threatened to finish his profession eternally.
At least half a dozen medical doctors he consulted instructed the then 18-year-old to drop the spear and run as an alternative. But Malik was already deeply in love with the sport and was not prepared to provide it up so simply.
“Javelin is the only sport I have known and I am really passionate about it. The feeling when the spear leaves your hand and goes into the air is indescribable. It is the best feeling in the world,” Malik stated in his vocals. I inform with agency conviction.
But he knew that the highway to restoration could be lengthy and painful. After the harm, the situation of his elbow was so dangerous that he couldn’t even carry a mug of espresso. “I could not even brush with that hand. I went via quite a lot of ache,” remembers the 26-year-old, who gained the gold medal within the just lately concluded University Games with a finest throw of 77.82m.
The harm additionally took a toll on his psychological well being. Malik went right into a shell and imprisoned himself in his room. Even dwelling off the bottom didn’t assist in his work. “I was so broken and depressed that I could hardly eat. During that time I lost 10 kg. Those three years are the worst periods of my life and I am very happy that they are behind me,” says Malik.
He trains below his father Rajendra, a retired navy personnel who additionally served because the bodyguard of former President of India KR Narayanan within the early 90s. Senior Malik’s javelin profession was minimize brief because of an elbow harm and he needed to change to middle-distance operating.
“When I acquired damage there was nobody to information me and I began operating. I did not need my son to have the identical plight. “Even though he had a bad hand, I pushed him to train and stay fit,” says Rajendra, posted within the Jat regiment.
Malik’s return was gradual. Once he felt that he might increase his elbow with none bother, he entered the village grounds to check the waters. Although his first throw in three years was simply 30 metres, he was overjoyed that he might throw with out feeling ache in his elbow.
Malik returned to the competitors in 2017 and has been step by step enhancing his distance since then. The Haryana athlete is focusing on the 85m mark, which can give him a very good likelihood of a podium end on the upcoming Asian Games in China in September.
“My arm is in good shape but I feel restless sometimes. I will work on my core muscles and I am sure 85m throw is not too far. And as far as the training plan with Neeraj is concerned, he is expected to get a call for the national camp. “If they take me in, maybe I will get training with my Panipat brother as we had planned. I look up to him and hopefully win some international medals and make Panipat the javelin capital of India,” says Malik.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
