Anandan Gunasekaran eyes good show in 2020 Tokyo Paralympics
After winning three gold medals in the 100m, 200m, and 400m races at the Military World Games, Anandan Gunasekaran has said that his next target is to bring glory for the country in the Tokyo Paralympics. Gunasekaran has also talked about him using the blade to run in various events.
Army man Anandan Gunasekaran brought glory for the country and the Indian Army when he went on to clinch three gold medals at the recently-concluded World Military Games in Wuhan, China. He bagged the top spot in 100m, 200m and 300m at the seventh edition of the Military Games and now has an aim of doing well at the Tokyo Paralympics which will be played next year.
"My final trial for selection in 200m for the Tokyo Paralympics will be held in May next year. That is the only obstacle left before me now for getting selected for the Tokyo Games," Gunasekaran told IANS.
Gunasekaran had lost his left leg in a mine blast in 2008 at the Line of Control (LOC). He currently participates in the athletic events as a para-athlete and runs with a blade. In the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, Gunasekaran had won a gold in the 200m race.Â
He had also bagged one gold and one silver medal at the previous edition of the World Military Games in 2015. The talented para-athlete, who is a part of the Madras Sappers of the Indian Army since September 2005, explained the difficulties he faced while trying to run with the blade.
"Using the blade to run wasn't easy, I toppled a number of times. After regular practice, I competed in the International Paralympic Grand Prix in 2014 where I won two gold medals and a silver medal. From there onwards, I have regularly competed in international fixtures. For any average human being, it is important not to lose heart in the direst of circumstances. My motto in life is to pick myself up and run each time I fall," Gunasekaran said.
