Working hard to break Jinson Johnson’s national record: Yoonus

LUCKNOW: Yoonus Shah, from Uttar Pradesh, won the 1500m race by creating a new Games record in the 1500m event at Khelo India University Games 2022, is working hard and aims to break the national record of 3:35.24 minutes that was set by Jinson Johnson in 2009.

The 21-year-old Yoonus created a new meet record of 3:51.61 minutes at Guru Gobind Singh Sports College track in Lucknow. He improved upon the previous meet record of 3:52.54 minutes representing Mahatma Jyotiba Phule University, Bareilly.

“I can do even better. I achieved a timing of 3:45 minutes earlier. I am putting in a lot of effort to break the national record. Presently, my full focus is on the World University Games, with trials scheduled to take place in Bhubaneswar next month,” said Yunus in a media release.

Yoonus, who hails from the village Patihan in the Pilibhit district, dreams to represent India and win a medal in the Olympics.

“My dream is to win a medal for our nation. I compete in the 1500m and 800m races, but the 1500m race is my favorite. My father is a farmer. Besides my parents, I have a brother and a sister. Currently, I am training under coach Vipin Lohit at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi,” he said.

Recalling his journey, Yoonus said, “I went to play for Sevaram Nathu Ram Inter College in Jograjpur, Pilibhit in 2018. Coach Dinesh Pandey asked me to participate in the event. I performed well there, and then Dinesh Sir advised me to compete in the district-level events in Pilibhit. I won gold medals in the 800m, 1500m, and 5000m races. After that, I started training and represented the UP state as well.”

Yoonus is participating in the Khelo India University for the maiden time. IANS

Also Read: Khelo India University Games: Barnali Bora from Assam wins bronze

Also Watch: