Determined Priya Mohan ready for new challenge

The quartermiler parted ways with her long-time coach Arjun Ajay two months ago and is now training under Cuba’s former Olympic champion Anier Garcia

As Cuban Anier Garcia shouts loudly, forcing his athletes to push harder during their sprint repetitions at the Birsa Munda Stadium here on a burning Sunday morning, Priya Mohan appears strong and determined.

Two years ago, she was the country’s fastest quartermiler and a junior World Championship relay medallist. But a lot has changed in her life now.

She parted ways with her long-time coach Arjun Ajay two months ago in Bengaluru and is now training at the JSW’s Inspire Institute of Sport at Ballari under Garcia, the 2000 Olympic 110m hurdles champion.

The new life is not easy, but this is a new Priya.

“My new coach has an aggressive approach, he makes us work hard but then there’s enough rest during practice which works out well,” said Priya in a chat with The Hindu here on Sunday. “He’s an Olympic champion, that motivates us a lot too.”

A hamstring injury saw her skip the last few competitions, but Priya is keen to clock a personal best time in the Federation Cup which begin here on Monday.

“This will be a new start for me and I’m looking at a ‘greater’ timing in the inter-state Nationals (in Bhubaneswar, June). I want to give the World Championships qualification time (51s) a shot,” said the 20-year-old, who has a personal best of 52.37s.