New Delhi: Indian long jumper Lokesh Satyanathan scored a major victory by winning the men’s long jump gold medal at the NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The young athlete, who studies at Tarleton State University, won with a jump of 8.21m, setting a new Indian indoor record. The effort also placed him third on India’s all-time long jump list behind Jason Aldrin and Murali Srishankar.Lokesh took the winning jump in his fourth attempt in the final. He easily edged out DeAndre Ward of the University of Southern Mississippi who jumped 8.20m, while Tafadzwa Chukumba of Kansas State University was third with 8.15m. The win made Lokesh only the fourth Indian player after Mahendra Singh Gill, Vikas Gowda and Tejesun Shankar to win the prestigious NCAA indoor title.Speaking after the win, Lokesh credited his faith, family and coach for the success. “I am thankful and grateful to God because I know nothing is possible without him and of course my family (in Bangalore) and my coach, who is my family here,” he was quoted as saying by PTI.Reflecting on the competition, he explained how his winning jump came at the perfect moment. “I think the top jump was 26’11” until the fourth (attempt) and then I got 26’11-1/2″, which is like 8.21m — which is also my personal best … so that’s it,” he said.The win also took on a deep personal meaning for him. Lokesh dedicated the achievement to his mother, who passed away from COVID-19 in 2021. He added, “It’s a very special moment because I always dedicate everything to my mom out there… My mom would be proud; I know she’s proud out there.”Recalling his encouragement before leaving to pursue athletics abroad, he said: “Follow your dreams” and prove what he can achieve. Now, with a national title and a record jump, Lokesh believes that even bigger achievements lie ahead.
