Inter-school athletics: Sunil Mourya wins DSO hurdle race without his shoes

RC Patel High School's (Borivli) Sunil Mourya won his District Sports Office inter-school Athletics Meet U-17 100 metre hurdle race at Sports Authority of India (SAI), Kandivli yesterday in style

Sunil Mourya during his 100m hurdles event at the DSO inter-school athletics at SAI Complex Kandivli yesterday. Pic/Suresh Karkera

RC PatelâÂu00c2u0080Âu00c2u0088High School's (Borivli) Sunil Mourya won his District Sports Office inter-school Athletics Meet U-17 100 metre hurdle race at Sports Authority of India (SAI), Kandivli yesterday in style.

For Sunil, jumping hurdles is not only limited to the track — it extends to life as well. The 14-year-old, son of a carpenter, doesn't even own a pair of shoes — let alone spikes.

The tenth grader had to borrow them from a school friend. He also had to borrow tights for the occasion. But, that didn't stop him from beating his previous best of 15.02 seconds by clocking an impressive 14.85s. "It has always been like this. I have had to borrow things from people. At first, I used to run with school shoes. For practice, I run with sandals," Mourya told mid-day.

Poor financial condition
Sunil admits that the financial condition is not that good at home. His father Vindhyachal Mourya tries to support him but money is a big problem so much so that he even struggled to pay the DSO participation fee.

Training is not ideal too. Sunil runs on school's 30x40m ground with five hurdles on it.

Sunil says that it's in the competition where he gets the real taste and gets to know his real timing. "It's in the competition where I get to know my real time. As our ground is small, I try to estimate my time by looking at my 40 metre timing."

Sunil's coach Rajesh Shigavan holds heaped praised on his ward for his conduct.

Hardworking kid
"He is a very hardworking boy. He trains everyday for two hours. He doesn't neglect his studies and is a bright student as well," said Shigavan Incidentally, his previous best of 15.02 was recorded in the same competition last year. Sunil won gold then too but unfortunately couldn't participate in the Division final due to a fractured hand.

But his performances were noticed by SAI coaches, who offered him a place in their set-up.

Sunil's father was reluctant, initially but thanks to Shigavan, who convinced him, the youngster was back on the tracks.

"He is a great talent. I will make sure he will go SGFI this year. I have spoken to his father too," said Shigavan.

"I want him in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics running 400 metre hurdles. That's is my dream," he added.

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