In 2021, at simply 18 years outdated and competing on the junior degree, Priya emerged because the quickest girls’s 400m runner within the nation, clocking a formidable time of 52.77 seconds. Nevertheless, after failing to win particular person medals in two world U-20 championships, she felt the necessity for a contemporary begin.
Two months in the past, Priya parted methods along with her long-time coach Arjun Ajay, who had found her expertise throughout a nationwide faculties meet in 2018. She has since been coaching on the Encourage Institute of Sport in Bellary, Karnataka, beneath the steerage of Anier Garcia, the 2000 Olympic 110m hurdles champion from Cuba.
Reflecting on her journey to date, Priya shared, “I’ve had ups and downs in these 4 years of my profession. When you go up, you need to come down. That fall is necessary in an athlete’s life as a result of it teaches you the teachings required to make a stronger comeback.”
She added, “I’ve began with a brand new coach, and I really feel this can be a new starting. We have now many extra targets to attain. I’ll attempt to turn out to be the quickest quarter-miler in 2023 and intention to win a medal within the Asian Video games, however I can’t make any guarantees.”
On the 2018 Asian Video games, Priya gained a bronze medal with a time of 52.63 seconds. Her private greatest stands at 52.37 seconds, achieved final yr. She was additionally a part of the bronze-winning Indian 4×400 combined relay workforce within the 2021 World U20 Championships and the silver-winning workforce in 2022.
Nevertheless, particular person success has eluded her up to now within the 400m race. In 2021, she completed fourth, and in 2022, she did not qualify for the ultimate spherical. Priya suffered a hamstring damage in December 2022 and continues to be within the technique of absolutely recovering. Regardless of this setback, she not too long ago clinched the gold medal within the 400m occasion on the Federation Cup Senior Nationwide Championships in Ranchi with a time of 53.40 seconds.
Priya emphasised the necessity to work on her sprinting method and enhance her timing. She expressed her concentrate on the upcoming Nationwide Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar and the Asian Championships in Thailand. Her aim is to provide higher timings and obtain full health by then.
Underneath her new coach, Priya has been engaged on making slight changes to her operating method, emphasising excessive knees and lengthy strides to cowl extra distance effectively. She counseled her coach’s aggressive method and his capacity to push her to her limits each bodily and mentally.
Whereas the preliminary plan was to take part in races in Europe in early July, the tight schedule following the Asian Championships could restrict these alternatives. Priya, nevertheless, stays decided to discover the potential for competing overseas to additional improve her expertise and efficiency.
At present pursuing her first yr of post-graduation (MSc) in Arithmetic at Mount Carmel Faculty in Bengaluru, Priya balances her research along with her intense coaching routine. Together with her aspirations set excessive and renewed willpower, Priya Habbathanahalli Mohan is able to make her mark on the Asian Video games and past.
(With inputs from PTI)
