NE SPORTS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, MAR 11
City-based engineer Parth Karkar has bagged the bronze medal at the recently held 25th National Cycling Championship in Panvel, Maharashtra, says a release.
The event was conducted from March 5-8 at Panvel, Mumbai by the Cycling Federation of India which has been recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
Panvel Municipal Corporation, in association with MIT World Peace University, organized the event with the support of the Cycling Federation of India and Cycling Association of Maharashtra.
This championship promoted cycling talent from across the country and athletes who have won in the district and state races are qualified for nationals.
This time, Gujarat was represented by 28 cyclists in different age and race categories.
Parth Karkar, who is an engineer and passionate cyclist from Ahmedabad, has been preparing for the nationals for the last three years. By winning this medal Parth has brought laurels to his coach and the club he represents.
Parth clinched third position in the Individual Time Trial (ITT) race, considered as one of the toughest as racers are allowed to start individually at a different time and they have no clue how others have done. Parth raced for 20 km and finished in 28.42 minutes, reaching an average speed of 41.79 km.
Parth was trained by John Aluparambil a.k.a. John Coach- NIS Dip. , Ex-Air Force, Services Cyclist of the 80s, and Founder of John Coach Cycling Academy (JCCA), Kerala.
Parth, a member of the Cyclone Cycling Club, Ahmedabad, aims to promote cycling as a sport and pioneer in building cycling culture in the city.
Parth believes that cycling as a sport is at a very nascent stage in India and has a long way to go. Gujarat and Ahmedabad are proud of Parth for bringing in this first national medal to the city.