KOCHI: He was down with fever just hours before the championship got underway, usurping most of the practicing sessions in the lead up. But that did not prevent a determined Rahul Rajan from finding his personal best to clinch the Senior Boys High Jump title in the Ernakulam District Revenue Schools Athletics Meet at the Maharaja’s College Stadium here on Monday. The 17-year old St George’s HSS, Kothamangalam, student is keen to improve upon his performance in the upcoming state schools championship.“I am very excited and happy about my performance,” said Rahul, after clearing a height of 1.91 metres, which assured him the gold medal. “The prayers of my friends and family helped me clinch gold here. I am indebted to my coach Raju (Paul) sir. Even though this is my best performance, I would like to increase it to 2 metres in the state meet,” Rahul added.Coach Raju Paul said that Rahul has the talent to progress further. “He is talented and hardworking and can improve further. His desire to improve is good but he needs more practice and hard work to achieve his target,” Raju Paul. Teammate Deepu, who clinched third place, said that Rahul was determined to succeed here.Rahul dreams of better days ahead, however, like many other talented athletes in Kerala, he too is strapped for cash to fine tune his skills. Coming from a financially backward family, his training costs are currently managed by his school authorities. The young athlete is hopeful that some help, governmental or otherwise, will come his way. A win in the state schools championship will certainly go a long way in furthering his cause.
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