{"id":244975,"date":"2026-05-24T12:35:07","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T12:35:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/24\/athletics-a-combination-of-hard-work-and-manifestation-spurs-vishal-to-glory\/"},"modified":"2026-05-24T12:35:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T12:35:07","slug":"athletics-a-combination-of-hard-work-and-manifestation-spurs-vishal-to-glory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/24\/athletics-a-combination-of-hard-work-and-manifestation-spurs-vishal-to-glory\/","title":{"rendered":"ATHLETICS | A combination of hard work and manifestation spurs Vishal to glory"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n Vishal T.K. of Tamil Nadu won the 400m gold in 44.98s in the 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Competition 2026 at Birsa Munda stadium holds a piece of paper with \u201844 COMING HOME\u2019 written on it in Ranchi on Satuday, 23 May 2026.
\n | Photo Credit: RITU RAJ KONWAR\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Exuding confidence after becoming the first Indian to clock a sub-45 seconds time<\/a>, quartermiler Vishal T.K. said his positive mindset was the key to his success.<\/p>\n

The 22-year-old, who owned the National record (45.12) prior to the Federation athletics meet at the Birsa Munda Stadium (Morabadi) here, rose to the occassion and scripted history by clocking 44.98.<\/p>\n

His result was a combination of hard work and manifestation as he pulled out a piece of paper with \u201844 COMING HOME\u2019 written on it.<\/p>\n

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Vishal T.K. of Tamil Nadu celebrates after winning the men\u2019s 400m gold in 44.98s in the 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Competition 2026 at Birsa Munda stadium in Ranchi on Satuday, 23 May 2026.
\n | Photo Credit:
\n RITU RAJ KONWAR\n <\/p>\n

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\u201cI feel proud. I did this for my country. I trained hard, it\u2019s always behind the scenes. Competition is easier..I missed the Commonwealth Games qualification (narrowly). God has some other plans. I\u2019ll work hard and come again,\u201d said Vishal.<\/p>\n

Vishal credited his coach Jason Dawson, who\u2019s like a father figure to him, for inculcating a strong mindset in him. \u201cI made up my mind, read my race, visualised it…Visualization is a part of the work. You\u2019ve already run a race in the mind.<\/p>\n

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Huge record!! Vishal TK becomes the first Indian to smash the 45 second barrier in the 400m!! He clocks 44.98 to break his own National Record in the 400m. Stunning day for Indian athletics!! pic.twitter.com\/oth50ZbaEO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 jonathan selvaraj (@jon_selvaraj) May 23, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cIt becomes easier…This is my coach\u2019s mindset which I have. He taught me a lot. I\u2019m still learning from him.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not about the conditions, it\u2019s about the mindset. I can run on the sea also. We\u2019ve to be positive.\u201d<\/p>\n

C. Latha, a former 800m National champion and the secretary of the Tamil Nadu Athletics Association, which supported Vishal in his formative years, was excited. \u201cWe expected him to clock 44 seconds at the Indian Open 400m Meet at Thiruvananthapuram (in March). But his coach said Vishal would peak for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.<\/p>\n

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“Behind the scenes, we work hard that no one sees. They only (see) this race.”<\/p>\n

Hear him out \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n

Vishal TK, who became the first Indian to break the 45-second barrier in the 400m with a national record time of 44.98s, speaks his heart out \ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf3<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf9: @jon_selvaraj<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/gB0FOB9TCE<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Sportstar (@sportstarweb) May 23, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cI expected both Vishal and Rajesh Ramesh, who has been consistent for the last four years, to go below 45. I came with a poster for them but was disappointed. I\u2019m sure both will do 44 at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games and win medals,\u201d said Latha.<\/p>\n

Looking at a bigger picture, Vishal liked the keen competition among Indian quartermilers. \u201cIndia is here to compete. We\u2019re coming. Five of us competed (clocking 45 seconds or less). I\u2019m happy for them. They\u2019re also working hard. Hopefully, next year, 44 will be easier,\u201d said Vishal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Published – May 24, 2026 06:05 pm IST<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n