Olympic medal-winninng sprinter will undergo training under the Jamaica great’s coach for a period of four months
Indian athletics has reason to cheer after one of its sprinters Amiya Mallick was successful in making the cut to train under coach Glen Mills for four months. Mills is coach of the legendary Usain Bolt.
Sprinter Amiya Mallick. Pic/Sayed Sameer Abedi
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Mallick’s 21:22 seconds in the 200m run to clinch gold in the 53rd National Open Athletics Championship in Ranchi last September was enough to impress Bolt’s coach, who extended an invitation to train at his academy in Kingston.
Mills has been Bolt’s coach since 2004 and one who was instrumental in turning the Jamaican sprinter into the force he is. Bolt’s compatriot and former world champion Yohan Blake is also a product of Mills’ Racers Track Club.
Although Bolt is not Mallick’s idol, the Bhubaneshwar athlete is excited about improving his skills under Mills. “I have been trying hard to go there for quite a few years. I was lucky this time to qualify to train under him.
Teaming up: Usain Bolt with his coach Glen Mills. Pic/Getty Images
It will be an incredible experience,” Mallick, who will leave on January 12, said on the sidelines of a felicitation function organised by his employers Indian Oil at its headquarters in Bandra yesterday.
Taken care of...
Mallick said the cost to train at Racers Track Club will be borne by the Orissa Athletics Association. “Everything is being looked after by the association.
There are a few other sponsors who will take care of travel and other aspects. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has also given me a green signal,” the 23-year-old said.
Mallick, who bounced back after a career-threatening injury for which he underwent surgery for a quadriceps muscle tear in 2011, hopes to get faster and fitter during his stint with Mills.
“I want to improve my endurance levels. At the moment, I lack physical strength. I am also hoping to get some tips on improving my speed. My target is to break the national record for 200m.
That will give me some hope to win a medal at the Asian Games. And, if I happen to meet Bolt there, it would be a huge bonus,” Mallick said.
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