If you catch sight of a cyclist garbed in ankle and knee caps, gloves and helmet zipping past you, you’ve probably just spotted one of the participants of the annual Goa Triathlon practising for their major event slotted for February 21, 2016 at Bambolim Beach. With participants coming in from different parts of India like Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad and Delhi, as well as international participants from Switzerland, Russia, Spain, UK, USA, Australia and Argentina, the event promises to be a highly competitive one.
Alice Pereira from Dona Paula will be participating in her first triathlon in the Super Sprint category. She is part of a group of women fitness enthusiasts who meet three times a week for an hour-long run. “Since I regularly participate in marathons, it’s been a routine to swim on Wednesdays and cycle on Saturdays. This has helped me in cross training for my individual super sprint. I was interested in the Goa Triathlon as it has a variety to offer for an all round athlete with swimming, cycling and running,” says Alice, who took up swimming just two months back.
An editor for medical magazines, Alice works from home but makes it a point to get out of the house every morning. “Running keeps me more focused, strengthens my legs and also helps in breathing. Swimming keeps one injury free and works on the muscles in the body,” she adds.
Lt Col Gaurav Dutta from Pune is an inspiration to
many young athletes. While this is his first time at the
the Goa Triathlon, he recently participated in the Delhi
Triathlon and has 5-6 sessions in swimming since then.
Lt Col Gaurav Dutta, a war disabled army officer, was
commissioned in 7 Battalion, Brigade of the Guards in
Dec 1991. He served the country in Operation Vijay. Lt Col
Dutta lost his left leg due to a mine blast in July 2001 on
the line of control in Kupwara sector and despite his injury
and an artificial leg, served with his unit in Operation
Parakram on the border in Punjab. For his devotion to
duty, he was awarded the General Officer Commanding
in Chief, Central Command, Commendation in 2013 and
Southern Command in 2015.
An avid sportsman before his injury, he represented
India in Golf at the International Wheelchair and Amputee
Sports Federation World Games in 2009 and won an
individual bronze medal. At the age of 46, Lt Col Gaurav
is now a Para Triathlete and participates in the Sprint
category, which includes 750 metres swimming, 20
kilometres cycling and 5 kilometres running. He has
competed in open Triathlons in Pune, Chennai, New Delhi
Bangalore, Thonnur (Mysore) and Hyderabad. He has also
represented the armed forces in the 15th National Para
Athletics Championship in March 2015.
“Swimming is not a common sport in India but
there are local swimming pools to help prepare for the
triathlon. I believe that with hard work you can achieve
anything and the pain evaporates when you reach the
finish line,” says Lt Col Gaurav. His daughter is pursuing
her 4th year Bachelor of Laws at Symbiosis Law School,
Pune. His wife, Vandana, is a home maker and a driving
force in his active life.
Dinesh Heda, an ultra marathon runner from Vasco,
is a chartered accountant and financial consultant by
profession, but a runner by passion. “I practise with two
sports per day like cycling and running or swimming
and running. I had participated in the Goa Triathlon last
year and I know the route which will have a few minor
changes this year. To prepare myself, I am practising
on similar terrain by swimming at Bogmalo beach and
running to and from Vasco, Velsao, etc,” says Dinesh
about his routine.
However, his goal is not to compete with the other
participants but to just develop his endurance for sports.
“I don’t want to break any record. I want to finish it and
finish it strong. I want to enjoy myself and meet the
other athletes for the Goa Triathlon. Last year, we even
trained together as we were four of us from Vasco. This
year, only two of us are participating and both of us have
different timings. I am a morning person and he is busy
in the morning so trains during the evening and night. It
is fun to train together and I enjoy staying back once the
competition is over and catching up with fellow athletes.
We learn a lot,” says Dinesh.
The Goa Triathlon attracts not just Goans but athletes
from different parts of the country and the world. Come
February 21, 2016, the Bambolim plateau will be the place
to be for Goan athletes.
