Despite not qualifying for the final round of the men’s 500m marathon in the ongoing World Athletics Championships, Indian athlete Govindan Lakshmanan managed to break his record of 13 minutes 36.62 seconds. He set a new personal record in the race.
Lakshmanan, who had to perform under the excessive rain that covered the Olympic Stadium throughout the day, was impressive as he clocked 13 minutes 35.69 seconds, better than his previous best of 13 minutes 36.62 seconds.
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The 27-year-old, despite the impressive run could not qualify, as he finished 15th in the top class field and 31st overall as the top five from each of the two heats and the next fastest five from the remaining participants qualified for the final.
“This is my first world Championships and I have come into the race thinking to break the national record. I could not do that because it was a bit tight at the home stretch. But at least I could run better than my personal best. I could not qualify for the final round but I am not disappointed because I have done my best. I will train hard and I will break the national record,” said Govindan after bowing out of the tournament.
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The national record clocked at 13 minutes 29.70 seconds stands in the name of the Arjuna Awardee Bahadur Prasad. He had made the record in the Barcelona Olympics, which stands unbroken in the last 25 years.
The Asian Championships bronze medalist also called the experience to be running alongside British athlete Mo Farah, a dream come true. Calling the World Champion to be a world class, Lakshmanan said, ” It was a dream come true to be running with Mo Farah . He is an inspiration for me. I feel very good. It is a lifetime experience to run with him. This is his last competition and he will not run again. ”
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“I was concentrating on my race, so I don’t know how he was running but I feel good to have run with him,” added Lakshmanan.