On June 5, 1990,Govindan Lakshmanan was born in the Sokkurani village of Pudukottai districtlocated in Tamil Nadu. His father was a hard-working farmer who unfortunatelydied in an accident when the little boy was six years old. Jayalakshmi, themother of the child, was a daily wage worker and single-handled looked afterthree children. She worked day-to-day for feeding and supporting the kids inthe misfortune. Even in the time of crises, the loving mum encouraged thechildren to follow their dream. She played an essential part in making her sonan athlete despite not knowing anything regarding the sport.
Loganathan, who wasthe kind neighbour of the little one and the owner of the Youth Sports Club,adopted the poor child to develop his future. The training of GovindanLakshmanan started at the age of sixteen at the club. He ran barefoot with atalented girl Surya, who was the daughter of Loganathan, on the roads ofPudukottai for practising long-distance running. The emerging runner workedhard every day with the determination to make the country proud. The desire ofbeing a famous sportsperson in Indiawas very vital for the teenager, and so, the boy was punctual about thecoaching.
Govindan Lakshmananattained the first position in the 5 km at the Indian Championships in 2013held in Ranchi, Jarkhand. The athlete completed the half marathon organisedbetween Vasai and Virar in 1 hour 7 minutes and 6 secs, reaching the finishingline first. In 2015, he made his mark by completing the 5000 meters race in13:35:69s and winning the Bronze at Asian Championships in Wuhan, China. At thesame event, he grabbed a silver medal by finishing 1000 meters in 29:42:81s.The gifted star achieved first in national and state tournaments in the 5 kmand 10 km categories in 2015 that are Indian National Games, IndianChampionships, Interstate Championships, Indian Inter-Services Championshipsand National Open Athletics Championships. Each victory encouraged the emergingplayer to practice more and never look back. With the passing of days, hisdedication towards running increased, and he began to set new targets forhimself.
Govindan Lakshmananaccomplished Indian Inter-State Championships and Federation Cup Athletics in 5km and 10 km category in the leading place. The long-distance runner number oneposition in 5000 meters at Indian Grand Prix in Bangalore, Karnataka. Hesuccessfully reached the finishing line leaving other competitors behind in the5 km and the 10 km groups in Inter-Services Championships organised in Delhi.The famous player of India won the10000 meters and 5000 meters at the Indian Open Championship held in Lucknow,Uttar Pradesh. The youngster stood first in the 25 km race organised by TataSteel Kolkata on 18 December 2016, which he completed in 1 hour, 17 minutes and16 seconds.
In 2017, GovindanLakshmanan won a gold medal in a 5 km run at Asian Athletics Championships heldin Bhubaneshwar, Orissa. In the same tournament, he also won gold in 10000meters which were completed by him in 29:55.87s. The victory made him the thirdIndian to receive a gold medal at the Asian Athletics Championships since 1993.He is the first athlete in India to achieve gold medals in the 5000 meters and10000 meters category in the Asian Athletics Championship. Subsequently, TamilNadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami and Naveen Patnaik, the ChiefMinister of Odisha, awarded twenty Lakhs cash prizes respectively for his skilland efforts. The famous Indian sportsplayer made the country proud with his outstanding performance andperseverance. The capable competitor attained a gold medal at the 2017 AsianIndoor and Martial Arts Games in 3000 meters organised in Ashgabat,Turkmenistan. The brilliant player successfully accomplished the 5000-meterrace at the 57th National Open Athletics Championships at the Nehru Stadium inthe year 2017.
Govindan Lakshmananmastered the sport with his sweat and willpower. The athlete never looked backafter the first achievement and worked hard each day for fulfilling his target.He is an inspiration for those who take a step behind after facing an obstacle.The player has taught everyone to grab every opportunity and be determined toattain them.
