Suraj Panwar’s Debut: Road to Paris Olympics in the 20km Race Walk

Suraj Panwar, a 23-year-old Indian race walker, is preparing for a unique experience at the Paris Olympics. Having competed primarily in the 20km race walk event, Panwar will now be participating in the newly introduced mixed race walk relay, which covers the marathon distance of 42.195km.

Background and Family

Suraj Panwar, a 23-year-old Indian race walker, is set to embark on a remarkable journey at the Paris Olympics. Panwar’s life has been marked by significant hardship. He tragically lost his father, Udai Singh Panwar, a forest guard, when he was just an infant. Raised single-handedly by his mother, Poonam, who worked at the forest department’s nursery, Panwar’s upbringing instilled in him immense resilience and determination.

Facing a New Olympic Challenge

Panwar will be making his Olympic debut in the newly introduced mixed race walk relay event, partnering with Priyanka Goswami. This innovative event, making its Olympic premiere in Paris, covers a grueling marathon distance of 42.195km. The race format involves alternating legs between the male and female walkers. The male walker tackles the first 12.195km, followed by a 10km stint from the female walker. This pattern continues until the finish line, with the combined time of both athletes determining the final result. Panwar will cover a total of 22.195km across two legs, with a designated break in between for recovery with the help of support staff.

Training and Preparation

Despite the unique team aspect of the mixed relay, Panwar is currently training alone at SAI Bengaluru. His teammate, Priyanka Goswami, is training abroad and won’t arrive in Paris until late July. To simulate race conditions, Panwar incorporates breaks into his training regime. He walks 12.195km, followed by a 45-minute break, before resuming for another 10km. Panwar’s training is overseen by his coach, Tatiana Sibileva, from Russia.

Overcoming Adversity on the Road to the Olympics

Panwar’s path to the Olympics wasn’t without its obstacles. He initially achieved the qualifying standard for the individual 20km race walk event at the National Championships in Chandigarh. However, a technical issue led to the disqualification of his time. Despite this setback, he managed to secure a spot through the world ranking quota. The Athletics Federation of India then made the surprising decision to select him for the mixed race walk relay event.

Perseverance Pays Off: The Olympic Dream Realized

The selection for the Olympics came as a surprise to Panwar, especially after the disappointment of his National Championships timing being disqualified. However, his unwavering perseverance paid off. The federation recognized his overall performance and selected him for the Paris Games. Panwar credits his unwavering spirit to his stoic mother, who has always been his source of inspiration. Despite her not fully comprehending the intricacies of his sport, her constant advice to focus on his training has been a guiding force for him.

Support Systems and Future Prospects

Recently, Panwar received a welcome boost as the Mission Olympic Cell included him in the Target Olympics Podium Scheme’s (TOPS) core group. This inclusion ensures financial support from the government to cover his training and other expenses. Additionally, he will receive a monthly allowance of Rs 50,000. Panwar plans to surprise his mother with the news of the allowance once he starts receiving it.

Conclusion: A Testament to Resilience

Suraj Panwar’s journey to the Paris Olympics is a testament to his remarkable resilience, unwavering dedication, and the unwavering support of his mother. As he gears up for his debut on the grand Olympic stage, Panwar remains focused on giving his all for his country and making the most of this incredible opportunity.

https://worldathletics.org/athletes/india/suraj-panwar-14768634

Current World Ranking Positions:

• Men’s 20km Race Walking: 69th place with a score of 1185
• Men’s Overall Ranking: 147th place with a score of 1185

Highest World Ranking Positions:

• Men’s 20km Race Walking: 28th place, held for 2 weeks
• Men’s Overall Ranking: 82nd place, held for 41 weeks

Personal Best Performances

Discipline	Performance	Wind	Venue	Date	Records	Results Score
5000 Metres Race Walk	20:23.30		Buenos Aires (ARG)	11 OCT 2018		1018
10,000 Metres Race Walk	41:17.40		Sarusajai Stadium, Guwahati (IND)	07 FEB 2021		1073
10 Kilometres Race Walk	43:19		Chennai (IND)	17 FEB 2019		990
20,000 Metres Race Walk	1:28:53.11		JLN Stadium, New Delhi (IND)	28 SEP 2021		1006
20 Kilometres Race Walk	1:20:11		Ranchi (IND)	14 FEB 2023		1187

uraj Panwar’s Honours – Asian YOG Qualification

Place	Discipline	Mark	Venue	Date
2	10,000 Metres Race Walk	47:40.61	Bangkok (THA)	05 JUL 2018

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Also read – https://globalbuzznetwork.com/indias-champions-at-paris-olympics-2024/