National gold in hand,Vij now looks to get life on track

Life has come a full circle for Delhi shot putter Saurav Vij. From the cocky young athlete who strutted to a confused 23-year-old suffering the allegations of cheating after being embroiled in a methylhexanamine doping scandal before he was offered relief.

Life has come a full circle for Delhi shot putter Saurav Vij. From the cocky young athlete who strutted to a confused 23-year-old suffering the allegations of cheating after being embroiled in a methylhexanamine doping scandal before he was offered relief. He almost decided that hurling the same iron shot at the National Games at Jharkhand wasnt worth it. But last week albeit unsure of himself,Vij produced a result he himself could scarcely believe. He won a gold ahead of reigning Asian champion Om Prakash and most importantly,got his life back on track. Struggling with the circumstances which at many times directed him at ending his shot put career,Vij says that his belief in toiling hard kept his flickering hopes alive. Out of the six chances that he had,he hurled the fifth one to perfection that saw the officials showing a reading of 18.90 m.

I had prepared very hard for the last six months. I was hoping to do well in the CWG and then the Asian games. I would say that I had attained the level however destiny had something else to offer. But I have no regrets. What had to happen has happened. I am happy that I have started the year on a positive note and I just wish to continue with improvements, says Vij.

For Vij,this gold medal marks a special moment in his career. He hadnt recovered from the doping controversy when more struggles were thrust upon him. A month before the National Games,the shot putter met with an accident injuring his ankle. Wary of the consequences of training with a recovering ankle and the importance of his participation in the National Games,Vij considered skipping the meet.

I had almost fifteen stitches on my ankle and a minor fracture. Everybody said that I should recover fully and then pursue my training. But somewhere I knew that my participation is important if I have to have a future in the sport and go on to play major tournaments. So I took the risk and started intensive training once again. I can only thank and credit some special power for all my success, adds the young shot putter.

The gold has certainly boosted Vijs spirit. He says the time before and after the CWG with the drug allegations hanging in the air he suffered a severe bouts of depression and hopelessness. I was under depression. For many times in a day I had thoughts of suicide and ending it all but a small portion of my mind still prevailed and told me again and again that my passion was to hurl that iron ball and that it would be my way out. It wasnt easy but I knew I had to pull myself up again. The gold in the start of the year has changed my determination into confidence, he says.

With the calender indicating a busy season ahead,Vij plans to make the most from his training. Spending hours toiling with the heavy iron shot,his immediate aim is to prepare himself for the Asian Grand Prix scheduled to be held in May. With a positive start to the 2011 season,he hopes to remain in the top tier of the rankings at the Asian circuit.

I am training harder than ever now. Before I would think that I will only throw above 20m but the last couple of months have taught me a lot. My start will be 18.90m and from here it will only get better. The good thing is that I am getting a chance to test myself at the Inter state championships before the Asian Grand Prix. During the CWG,my base was strong and I was ready to perform but the controversy shattered my confidence. I just want to focus and rebuild my composure and confidence so that I can hurl to my potential, adds Vij.

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