Kerala’s
While the victory secured him the top spot on the podium, the performance left the Malappuram native with mixed feelings. Fasalul, who currently holds the national under-20 record of 13.61 seconds set in Pune this past June, had arrived at the championships with ambitions of lowering that mark. He admitted that the cold conditions hindered his ability to warm up effectively, preventing him from reaching the peak physical state he experienced during his record-breaking run in Pune.
A Tactical Recovery and Future Ambitions
The race did not go entirely to plan for the young hurdler, who noted a specific error that impacted his final time. Fasalul explained that he had established a strong lead early on but lost momentum after clipping a hurdle midway through the event. He had been targeting a time of 13.40 seconds, but the combination of the physical error and the challenging climate made that goal unattainable on this occasion.
Reflecting on his development, Fasalul shared that he only transitioned to the hurdles after starting his athletics journey with the 100m sprint at age 15. Although adjusting to the higher hurdles required for the under-20 category was initially difficult, he has since adapted his technique to suit his racing style. He noted that he typically relies on a strong finish rather than an explosive start, often finding his rhythm after the fifth or sixth hurdle. This recovery-focused approach proved vital on Sunday, as he successfully clawed back from a trailing position to secure the win.
Looking ahead, the teenager is already focused on his long-term progression within the sport. With his sights set on the senior level, Fasalul has expressed a bold ambition to become the first Indian athlete to break the 13-second barrier in the 110m hurdles. Confident in his trajectory, he remains committed to the rigorous training required to reach that milestone in the future.
