Annamanada: Age is just a number for Sankaran Nair. The 75-year-old yoga master is India’s best bet in international masters athletics events.
EKS Nair to friends, the veteran finished third in the 1600 and 400 meter relays in the 20th Asia Masters Athletics Championship held in Rugao, China last month. He finished eighth in the 5-kilometer walking race too.
Nair’s next target is the world championship to be held in Spain. There’s nothing to stop the veteran but the prohibitive expenses associated with the events.
Nair has been a constant presence in masters’ events since 1982. He retired as a clerk from the army in Pune in 2000 and returned home to Meladoor in Kerala. When he is not running, he teaches yoga and tends to his farm.
Track and field has been Nair’s passion from his school days. He had took home enough trophies in the district and state levels.
As a masters event participant, he had won two golds and one silver for Kerala in a national championship held in Payyannur. He scored big time in Hyderabad too.
Nair rubs shoulders with bodybuilders much younger to him in the Mala gymnasium. Trainer M B Babu testifies for the prowess of Nair, who always hits the gym running.
Nair receives ample ground support from wife Sumathi and three children.
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