Note:
If you are keen and have queries, please contact Coach Rameshon at 9100 4369 or you can email him at m.rameshon@gmail.com or swift.rameshon@gmail.com. Please refer to website http://flexifitness.com.sg (for more information on him and his programmes)
By Rameshon
Bsc (Hons) Degree in Physical Education, Loughborough University (1992-1994)
Masters in Education (University of Western Australia, 2005-2008)
Preeja Sreedharan - Showing a lot of talent in long-distance running
There has been a gold medal drought, for both men and women, for the long-distance in India all the while. India's focus has most of the time been on cricket, hockey and shooting, to name a few.
Singapore Bay Run
In 2010 Singapore SAFRA Bay run, I was told by top Singapore runners that the Indian soldiers who came to run here for the half-marathon were nearly able to dominate the top 10 positions and do a frightful 3min flat for the first kilometre of the SAFRA Bay Run. What was more awe-inspiring was that these runners were averaging a time of 1hr 10min, a sign of improvement in the running standard as compared to the past. To add a feather to the cap these invited runners were just the soldiers, what about the other elite runners in India.
Domination of Middle Eastern Countries and Oriental Countries
As usual, the marathon and walking events were vastly dominated by oriental countries like China, Japan and Korea. The middle distance events were overtly dominated by countries like Iran, Bahrain, Qatar, to name a few, leaving India to nearly achieving a near nothing and leave the Games empty-handed.
Preeja's Inspirational Rise
Preeja's story shows an inspirational rise from a humble beginning as a developmental runner and currently, she is now the best in India as well as in Asia for 10000 metres.
Preeja Sreedharan was born on 13th of March, 1982, at Mullakkanam, Kerala. Her first major championship was the Asian Cross Country in 1999. Her recent development as a world-class runner started from her coming in fifth in both the 5000 and the 10,000 metres in the 2006 Asian Games. In Asian Track and Field Championships 2007 at Amman, capital of Jordan, she won the silver medal in the 10,000 metres. She qualified for the Beijing Olympics in June 2008 after achieving a B qualifying mark for the Games. She finished twenty-fifth at the Olympic 10,000 metres.
Preeja's recently won the gold medal in the 10000-meter event and silver in 5000 metres in the Guangzhou Asian Games. Moreover, she is now a current Indian National Record holder for 5000 and 10,000 metres. Her personal best for the 10,000 metres is now 31:50:28 minutes in Guangzhou Asian Games.
After the event, Preeja Sreedharan’s became emotional when she spoke about her family. The girl from Mullakkanam in Kerala struggled to control herself as she narrated her life story after stunning the field in the women’s 10,000 metres.
“After winning, my immediate thoughts were with my mother (Ramini) and brother (Pradeep). They have made huge sacrifices and I am here today because of them,” Preeja said.
“I lost my dad when I was very young and it was a big struggle for all of us, my brother Pradeep had to quit studies after the eighth standard and started working. He worked as a carpenter. My mother had to work in others’ houses),” said Preeja
After the terrific performance, Preeja felt overwhelmed by the international media.
“When I started I never thought I would get so much (gold and all the adulation).”
By Narayanan
He also has a Coaching group and he trains them on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm at Botanic Gardens. Those interested can call him at 91004369 for coaching assistance, to improve performance. There is also personal training that he does for many in a week. You can e-mail him at swift.rameshon@gmail.com.
Note:
By Narayanan
Rameshon has taught in Hwa Chong Institution, plus several schools, and Republic Polytechnic as well. He has won many accolades and he was awarded Merit Award for 1991 marathon performance in breaking the national record of Singapore, at that time. He has made 22 male athletes do a marathon in sub-3hrs. He has made 7 female runners do sub-4 hours for the marathon, as well. He was inducted to the ‘Roll of Honour’ by the then College of Physical Education, organised by Singapore Olympic Academy, in 1998, for breaking the National record repeatedly 4 times, till he did 2hr 24min 22sec).
He also has a Coaching group and he trains them on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm at Botanic Gardens. Those interested can call him at 91004369 for coaching assistance, to improve performance. There is also personal training that he does for many in a week. You can e-mail him at swift.rameshon@gmail.com.
