This International stress the need of grooming children from school levels

When most of the people complain of joints pains after 50 years, and step back to participate in physical activities, here is a 55-year-old athlete who is dreaming of winning a gold medal in running race at the World Championship.

Meet 55-year-old International athlete Madappa Yogendra who is creating a niche in running race. Recently, he has participated at the 20th Asia Masters Athletics Championship held at Rugao, China (September 24 to 28), and has won bronze medals at 3000 meters steeple chase and 400 meters rally.

Veteran Athlete M Yogendra, an M.Sc graduate in Physics, is rendering service as superintendent at Central Excise and Customs Department, Bengaluru. He is passionate in taking part in running race and cross country races from his high school days. Since then, he is practicing running for an hour, without any break and has continued the same even today.  

Sharing about his journey with City Express, Yogendra says, : “I had participated in Republic Day parade at New Delhi, representing Karnataka & Goa State NCC Contingent in the Year 1981. My interest in athletic started, when I won ‘Prime Minister’ banner award. This motivated me to take the long distance running seriously. Later, I underwent rock climbing course at Kerala, advance leader ship course at Nasik , Maharashtra, Water skiing course at Kashmir.”

“Later, Common Wealth Games was held at Delhi in 2010, and I got an opportunity to run holding the Queen’s Baton Relay torch. There was no bound for my happiness, and my enthusiast grew  then, and decided to compete in international athletic events,” he added.

 “I had never thought, I will be visiting foreign countries and represent India. The competitions will be very challenging in International level. Regular practice, determination, concentration are important. There is need of grooming children from school levels and motivating them to take part in the sports competitions,” adds Yogendra, whose enthusiast has never dwindled.

He has represented University of Mysore in Athletics for Five times and Karnataka State six time in the All India Inter University Athletics Championships; and has captained the Karnataka State Athletics. He has represented India several times at the Asian Masters Athletics Championship and World Master Athletics Championships held at Malaysia, California, USA; Taipei, Taiwan; Port Blare, Brazil; Kitakami City Iwate Prefecture, Japan; Perth, Austriliafrom; Rugao  China. Now, he is getting prepared to take part in the World Master Championship to be held at Spain in 2018.

He has to his credit about 70 gold; 50 silver and more than 60 bronze medals and his dream is to win a gold medal in World Master Championship. He has been awarded  “Karnataka Bhushana Prashathi” by Karnataka Samskruthika Academy, Bengaluru in 2013;  Mukhayaprana Rajoshthava Prashathi, Karnataka Rajoshthava Award  by  Kannada Sangha, Customs, Central Excise & Service Tax Department and several other honours.

Yogendra has established ‘Mysuru Athletic Club’ in 2006, and hosting running race, road relay race competitions every year. He also felicitates the athletes who have represented Mysuru district in University-State-National levels and gives away cash prize of Rs 70,000.