Twenty-three-year-old Ram Baboo from Uttar Pradesh set a new national record in 35km walk at the National Games in Gujarat, covering the distance in 2 hours, 36 minutes, and 34 seconds.
Baboo told THE WEEK that he was confident of winning the event and setting a national record.
“I had set a target and I had practiced for it,” said Baboo, who took up walking in 2018 after an injury. Earlier, he used to run.
Juned Khan had to be satisfied with silver as he clocked the distance in 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 51 seconds. His national record was 2 hours, 40 minutes, and 16 seconds.
Baboo said he is now eyeing a qualifying berth in the Asian Games and the Olympics.
A vegetarian and physical education graduate, he trains at the Army Sports Institute in Pune. He also does not eat junk food.
Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Baboo said he has applied for the post of havaldar in the Indian Army.
He said he does not do anything special to remain fit. “The workouts are routine and I walk around 180 to 200 km a week,” he said. His coach Basant Rana is a father figure for him.
Baboo’s mother wants him to achieve fame and a platform where people recognise him.