Crouching Pan,hidden talent

His parents,both former hurdlers,however believe that their 16-year-old sons future lies in pursuing athletics. His gold-medal winning effort was clocked at 13.46s a meet record. But to get Agniv to leave the cricket ground and devote time to athletics has been a tough task for his parents.

His latest achievement at the Balewadi Sports Complex has the potential,in Agnivs own words,to covert him into an athletics addict.

My father has had to literally drag me to the track for practice. Earlier,I didnt enjoy athletics because I wanted to play cricket all the time but now,after this medal,I think athletics could just be my thing, he said.

The youngster dedicated his gold to his parents. This gold medal is all thanks to my parents. My parents both of whom work as teachers help me practice everyday. We train on a mud track. This gold medal is a fitting reward for their efforts, he said.

Father and coach SK Pan has been at his wits end in trying to convince his son that he is extremely talented in athletics.

The boy is fast and if he works hard he has a great future in athletics. I have been trying to explain this to him since day one. However,like any other boy his age he is absolutely obsessed with cricket.

The father has now left it to his son to decide which sport to pursue. It is up to him now. I believe he has the potential to set a national record in the hurdles, Pan senior said.

The hurdler has two idols Chinese hurdler and Athens Olympics gold medallist Liu Xiang and Australian wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist. At the moment,I think Liu Xiang is ahead, Agniv said.