KT Irfan has been playing his trade in a sport that is known to very few people in the country and what more, he has won an international medal for himself and the nation.
He won the bronze medal in the 20km men’s event at the Asian Race walk championships in Nomi on Sunday, and in the process introducing a new event to the people of India.
Irfan recorded a timing of 1 hour 20 minutes and 59 seconds, tantalisingly short of his national record timing of 1 hour 20 minutes and 21 seconds which he had set during the qualification for the 2012 London Olympics.
What is Race Walking?
Racewalking, or race walking, is a long-distance discipline within the sport of athletics. Although it is a foot race, it is different from running in that one foot must appear to be in contact with the ground at all times.
Irfan has already qualified for the World Championships as he won this year’s National Race Walking Championships.
Korea’s Kim Hyun-Sub took the gold in 1:19:50 while Georgiy Sheiko of Kazakhstan bagged the silver in 1:20:47.
KT Irfan is trying to bring about a revolution in India with respect to Race walking, hop on it is going to be a wonderful ride.
