Seven-year-old Koparkhairane resident Atharva Shinde got into athletics just eight months ago and has already bagged a gold medal in 50 meter running at the state level championship held recently. The first standard student of North Point School, Atharva is also a bright student and secured A grade in his first semester examinations.

Shinde won gold in boys' U-8 category, at the Association of ICSE Schools, Maharashtra conducted at the Priyadarshini Park, Mahalaxmi. He was also adjudged as fastest athlete after he won the 50m race with a timing of 9 seconds. Then he won the 50m U-8 boys' race at the Thane District Competition with a timing of 8.03 seconds and after that he went on to win the 50m U-8 boys' title at the state meet conducted by Maharashtra State Amateur Athletics Association in Pune.

His mother, Sheetal Shinde, who is a teacher in the same school said, "Atharva is a bright boy and is also very good in studies. I hope that he keeps up the spirit and enjoys whatever he does." Atharva's coach Tarwinder Singh of Falcon Sports Club, Airoli said, "He is hard working and focused. Though he is very small he understands the true meaning of winning and is working hard towards maintaining the victory. I will try my best to keep encouraging him and make sure that he participates in majority of events."

Atharva, who practices for one hour daily, says he also like to play cricket and football and is also in his school football team. He regards Sachin Tendulkar as his hero. "I also like to watch movies and Shah Rukh Khan is my favorite hero. I would like to become a cricketer when I grow up and would like to break Sachin's record," he concludes on a confident note.

Aarti Kini/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication