more-in It is five in the evening. Nehru Stadium is buzzing with people of all age groups stretching, running and walking. Among them is 22-year-old Vijay Bebin Raj. He walks on the synthetic track, clad in a red t-shirt. There is a rhythm to his movements and, as I watch, he finishes 25 rounds. “I travel 20 km from Karumathampatti every morning and evening to practise here. This is part of my lifestyle,” says Raj. The athlete is a final year BBA student from Dr NGP Arts and Science College and is a race walker. A senior from school introduced him to the sport. “I was 14 and did not like it but developed an interest after winning my first competition. In 2013, I created a new record timing in 5km junior state category (25 minutes and 12 seconds). It still remains unbroken.” Bebin Raj | Photo Credit: M.Periasamy His training sessions are intense. “I wake up at 4.00 am and will be at the ground by 5.30. I start with a 4 km warm-up followed by regular training sessions. I do core strengthening and stretch exercises till 8.30 am.” He follows the same pattern for his evening sessions too. Raj is ranked 20 in national race walking. Raj’s father is a vegetable vendor at Karumathampatti and suffered a heart attack two years ago. “My brother was also into sports but, after my father’s health deteriorated, he began to work as a fitness trainer in the city.” Raj runs marathons to help his family and has participated in around 40 marathons. “I do it for the money. My first marathon was 18K when I was 14. I came in the 18th position and got a cash prize of ?100. That was my first earning!” In 2016, he received ?15,000 at the Tirupur Marathon. “My mother had long dreamt of buying me a gold chain. She got me one with that money.” Raj says that being a professional sportsman is expensive. “A good shoe costs more than ?10000. I also need other supplies and health supplements. My parents can’t support me financially, and I am only a student. How can I afford it?” Bebin Raj | Photo Credit: M.Periasamy His biggest strength is his friend Manikandan, with whom he practises everyday. “The emotional support he gives me keeps me going. I cannot perform well on the track if I am disturbed. He makes sure that I stay calm. My parents are concerned about my future. They don’t think I can make a living with sports.” Raj trains under Olympian Ganapathi Krishnan and has qualified to attend a six-month Open National Championship Camp at Dharmashala. “I wish I could go. It is expensive, I will have to spend at least ? 35000 for a month. I cannot go unless I get a sponsor.” He runs back to resume his practice. Know Raj better His dream- to represent India in the Olympics and win a medal. Other sports interest-basket ball Greatest inspiration-Yusuke Suzuki

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