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Posted by Sha
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Filed under Announcements, Records
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Photo credit, Zubin & Indiana University
Our national quarter-miler, Zubin Percy, Muncherji achieved a double breakthrough at the Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Championships which was held at Robert C. Haugh Complex, Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana on 11-13 May.
The 22-year-old (Born 1996) who is based in the USA, representing Indiana University smashed his men 400 meters men national record by 0.27 seconds. He ran 47.02 seconds in the preliminary round three of four; that race he finished in the fourth position and narrowingly missing out advancing to the finals. Zubin previous old record mark was 47.29 seconds which was achieved in 2014 at the Asian Junior Championship as an 18-years-old.
When asked of his record-breaking run, Zubin said, “This was totally unexpected. I hadn’t touched my NR since I enlisted and this was something personal to me especially because of all the sacrifices I had made, along with the setbacks I faced. The people I surround myself with (especially my parents) had a huge part to play in terms of remaining supportive throughout the season and trying to get back to my best. But I just honestly trusted the process and ran my guts out knowing all the grueling training I had gone through and I am so so thankful for that. All glory to god, my coaches here and coach Kamarul back home and finally, of course, my parents.”
His second breakthrough was being the first Singaporean to run a 4×400 meters relay that clocked a sub 3 minutes 10 seconds performance. To be precise his team ran 3:09.22 minute, helping the NCAA Division-I tier 4x400m team to a fourth-place finish in the final. Zubin ran a hand-timed split of 46.6 seconds (HT), running the first leg of the quartet in the most outer lane. Our current 4×400 meters national record, by the way, is 3:10.55 minutes, achieved at 1974 Asian Games.
Zubin added, “I’ve been working a lot more on my finishing part of the race so I just got out harder than I do usually and thankfully the training that I put in came into play the last 100m, running from Lane 8, where I was able to hold on to my speed.”
Zubin Percy, Muncherji with his encouraging performances, helped the Hoosier, who was led by Head Coach Ron Helmer to a second-place overall place with 88 points, behind Ohio State which recorded 109 team points.
When asked of his future plans, the tall lanky Zubin said, “As of now it’s to not let this get to my head, because the outdoor season is literally just beginning and continue to put in the work, stay hungry and keep running like I have been running. Eat, sleep train repeat!”
You can watch his running exploit videos at the Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Championships at https://www.flotrack.org/events/6131729-2018-big-ten-outdoor-championships/videos
Record is pending ratification by SA.
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14th May 2018
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