Dilip Gavit is partially disabled with right hand limited only to elbow but that didn’t stop him from carrying the baton for Maharashtra. He put his state team onto the podium by ensuring a bronze in the 4 x 100m relay at the ongoing Khelo India Youth Games in Pune. All that single handedly, literally!
Dilip hails from Nashik, which has long tradition of producing glorious athletes. He decided to field himself in general category competing with normal athletes, that too at the national championship. He took them hands on with a fine run with and crossing the finish line with third spot in U-17 finals. Akshay Gowaedhan, Vrushal Belhekar and Tejas Shirse were his team-mates.
The baton exchange is the key in any relay race. That is where races are won and lost. “It was very challenging for me to keep my balance intact while running and exchanging the baton. But, I overcame my handicap and took up the challenge. Of course it's a team run and my fellow runners' cooperation and understanding was decisive,” explains Dilip after his success.
Dilip credits this extraordinary maiden success at the national level to his coach Vaijanath Kale. Kale too applauds Dilip’s commitment and courage. Infact it was his maiden run at a big Sports Complex. He is from a rural background having schooled at the Shahid Bhagat Singh School at Surgana Tehsil in Nashik district. He will be appearing to his tenth board exam in few months time from now.
“I spotted his talent in one of the interschool events and had confidence in him that he would do wonders if given a go. He was ultra focused in training and his hard work was exemplary,” said Kale who has helped Dilip with expenses on training also due to his financially poor background.
