NEW DELHI: Indian long jumper Lokesh Sathyanathan achieved a major breakthrough by winning the men’s long jump gold at the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The young athlete, who studies at Tarleton State University, secured victory with a jump of 8.21m, setting a new Indian indoor record. The effort also placed him third on India’s all-time long jump list behind Jeswin Aldrin and Murali Sreeshankar.Lokesh produced the winning leap on his fourth attempt in the final. He narrowly edged past De’Aundre Ward of the University of Southern Mississippi, who jumped 8.20m, while Tafadzwa Chikomba from Kansas State University finished third with 8.15m. The victory made Lokesh only the fourth Indian athlete after Mohinder Singh Gill, Vikas Gowda and Tejaswin Shankar to win this prestigious NCAA indoor title.Speaking after the win, Lokesh credited his faith, family and coach for the achievement. “I’m grateful and thankful to God because I know nothing is possible without Him and of course my family back home (in Bengaluru) and my coach, who is my family here,” he said, as quoted by PTI.Reflecting on the competition, he explained how his winning jump came at the perfect moment. “I think 26’11” was the leading jump until the fourth (attempt) and then I got 26’11-1/2″, which is like 8.21m — which is my personal best as well… so that is it,” he said.The win also carried deep personal meaning for him. Lokesh dedicated the achievement to his mother, who passed away from COVID-19 in 2021. He added, “It’s got to be a very special moment because I always dedicate everything for my mom up there… My mom would be proud; I’m know she is proud up there.”Recalling her encouragement before he left to pursue athletics abroad, he said: “go follow your dreams” and prove what he could achieve. Now, with a national title and record jump, Lokesh believes even bigger achievements are ahead.
