Indian Athletics – IAAF Race Walking Challenge 2013 – Irfan finished commendable fifth / Ram. Murali Krishnan /

Taicang, China – 1 March 2013 – Step by Step by Step!  That is Kolothum Thodi Irfan’s daily routine in his quest for glory in race walking.  Irfan, who celebrated his 23rd birthday hardly three weeks ago, came under the spotlight when he claimed the Federation Cup title last year in Patiala and thus selected to represent India in Race Walking World Cup held in Russia the following month.

 Irfan capitalised the opportunity and surprised everyone when he finished 18th at Saransk with world class “A” grade qualification to London Olympics with a notable time of 1:22:09.  He made further waves in London as he was seen walking in the leading bunch and among the top five most of the time.  At the end he finished a credible 10th with a national record 1:20:21 to his credit.

 Ever since he returned from London, Irfan attended a large number of functions organised in his home-state Kerala by various educational institutions to felicitate him and inspired many youngsters to follow competitive sports—especially athletics—with his motivational speech.

 Resuming his training in the National Institute of Sports at Patiala recently, he was selected to take part in the IAAF Race Walking Challenge in Taicang, China.   It was the third successive term the competition had been organised here with Chinese walkers expected to dominate the scene.   However the heat of the competition was so high that even the reigning Olympic champion Chen Ding withdrew in mid-way in his season opener. 

 China’s Li Jianbo, a specialist over 50 km and a seventh-placer at London in that distance, clocked 1:18:52 to win the men’s race.  He was just three seconds ahead of teammate and London fourth placer Cai Zelin with Australia’s three time Olympic medallist Jared Tallent finished third in 1:20:41.

 Irfan once again missed a chance to make the podium but finished a commendable 5th with a second best time of his career to date – 1:20:59 – en route to his preparation towards the World championships in Moscow this August, nine seconds behind another Chinese walker Qi Zhao who finished fourth.

Sun Huanhuan won the women’s race in 1:27:36, while compatriot Lu Xiuzhi finished 22 secs behind.  Asian record-holder and Olympic bronze medallist Shenjie Qieyang complete the sweep with 1:28:27.

India’s Gaurav Kumari, having a PB of 1:37:58, finished eleventh in Taicang clocking 1:40:29.

/ Ram. Murali Krishnan /