Hardeep’s dream comes true

CHANDIGARH, Aug 18: It is a dream come true for Hardeep Singh, a young body builder from the city who will be representing India in the f...

CHANDIGARH, Aug 18: It is a dream come true for Hardeep Singh, a young body builder from the city who will be representing India in the forthcoming Junior Asian body buliding championships to be held at Taiwan from August 26 to 31.

“I was confident of getting selected even during the nationals,” said Hardeep with an air of confidence. It was in the last national meet where Hardeep, in his maiden attempt, captured the Mr Junior title, and also dented the dominance of the southern states, who were pretty good at making a clean sweep in the national events.

It was under the tutelage of Sunil Walia, who is still Hardeep’s coach, that the young lad made rapid progress in a short period. “He has immense potential and the desire to do hardwork,” disclosed Sunil.

And the parternship worked. Hardeep, 20, got his first title in 1998, with just two months of training behind him. Then on, it has been no looking back. He maintained his winning streak in 1999 and has alreday won quite a few title, including Mr Junior North India and Mr Punjab University titles. His last title was at the national meet held recently.

“I owe my success to my trainer,” Hardeep felt, adding,“Without proper guidance, I wouldn’t have been in the race for the title in the Asian meet."

His thirst for gold medals, however, has not dried up and the budding players is aming for a title in the Asian meet. But it’s easier said than done. Hardeep will have to face strong oppositon from the body builders from Singapore and Korea, who usually dominate the Asian ciruit.

But both coach and the trainee are confident of bagging the top slot. “In the past two months he (Hardeep) has improved on his weak points which can help him bring laurels to the country,” said Sunil Walia.