MAKERS A success!runaway

He is fondly referred to as the ‘Flying Sikh’.

At 77, Harbhajan Singh Aulakh, winner of 10 medals at the recently concluded World Masters’ Games 2009, could not have been described more aptly. Hailing from Punjab, the Land of Five Rivers, Harbhajan has made all Indians proud by bagging 4 gold medals (400m, 800m, 1500m, 2000m steeple chase), 4 silver medals (100m, 100m hurdles, 200m and long jump) and 2 bronze medals (high jump and triple jump) in the Olympic style event for the veterans held in Sydney.

The seventh World Masters’ Games that took place from 10-18 October 2009 at Sydney Olympic Park, were an initiative of the Government of New South Wales. The games have been held every four years since their initiation in Toronto, Canada in 1985. Sydney had the honour of hosting the event this year after Brisbane (1994) and Melbourne (2002).

The World Masters’ Games are the world’s largest multi-sport event, attracting twice as many competitors as the Olympic Games. The games are open to people of all abilities and most ages with the emphasis on participation. To compete at the Sydney 2009 World Masters’ Games, people needed to satisfy their sport’s minimum age.

Harbhajan revealed that 45,000 competitors from 95 countries including Canada, South

America, South Africa, India, China and New Zealand participated in the games which were formerly known as the Veterans’ Olympic. He was in the 75-80 age group but pointed out that age was no bar to enthusiasm and talent as there was a 101-yearold participant for the shot-put event.

There were 28 sports on the calendar divided into two categories. The Sydney 2009 World Masters Games Advisory Committee endorsed

He has also participated in three other World Masters’ Games and has walked away with many medals.

Shedding a light on the secret of his success that allows him to have the stamina of a much younger person, Harbhajan Singh is modest in conceding that it is all about running.

“I am up at four in the morning every day to work out and go for my daily run. I top it off with an afternoon work out”.

And what about his dietary habits?

“I take no special dietary supplements or special energy drinks. I stick to a simple Indian diet, but avoiding too many spices”.

Harbhajan is blessed with three children and three grandchildren but notes regretfully that none of his family shares his enthusiasm for sport and fitness.

To participate in the World Masters’ Game, Harbhajan had been preparing for the last three years. He is currently getting set to impress in the Australian National Olympics to be held in March 2010 in Melbourne and also the next world games.

With such a spring in his feet and success in his grasp, it is no surprise that he has no plans to retire any time soon and insists he will be competing for as long as he can.

Farzana Shakir