Meet Shashaank Saravanakumar, a young para cyclist breaking barriers in Coimbatore

Fourteen-year-old Shashaank from Coimbatore placed fifth at the recently held Para-national Road Cycling Championship

Fourteen-year-old Shashaank Saravanakumar may be soft-spoken, but on the road, his determination speaks volumes. A student of St Antony’s School, Puliyakulam, Coimbatore, Shashaank recently made his mark at the first Para-national Road Cycling Championship held in Hyderabad. Representing Tamil Nadu in the CII (Intellectual Impairment) category for juniors under 19, he completed the 12-km race in an impressive 43 minutes and 32 seconds, securing fifth place in a field of seasoned young riders from across India.

But for Shashaank, cycling is more than competition. “Cycling means fun and happiness to me. Every ride tells me a story,” he says with a bright smile. It is a passion that began when he received his first basic cycle from Decathlon. Encouraged by his mother to ride daily, his enthusiasm deepened when his grandfather gifted him a hybrid bicycle in Class 7. What began as a life skill blossomed into a calling.

His typical day starts early, with a 20 to 25 km ride through the streets of Coimbatore. His mother follows closely on her scooter for safety, while his fitness coach, Ranjit, guides him through strength routines in the morning or evening. “My coach Kathir Sir played a major role in teaching me cycling techniques,” says Shashaank. “And my twin brother Shreenick is my riding partner and motivator. We go cycling together often.” On weekends, he joins fellow cyclists from the CooKoo Cycling Club for longer distance rides.

While Shashaank enjoys the wind in his hair and the stories the road tells him, the journey has not been without its challenges. “Traffic was a problem at first,” he admits, “but I learned to overcome it.”

His selection to represent Tamil Nadu at the Para-nationals was a moment of immense pride. “I felt so happy to wear the yellow jersey of Tamil Nadu,” he recalls. The experience in Hyderabad was unforgettable. “There were so many cyclists from all over India. I wasn’t nervous—I was excited to meet everyone!”

Crossing the finish line in fifth place filled him with a quiet confidence. “I thought I would be a chef,” he says, a nod to his dream of becoming one in the future. Shashaank is not one to look for role models. “No, I will create my own style,” he says.

That ambition extends beyond just medals. “I want to win the para-cycling championship next year and represent India in the Paralympics,” he says.