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| Gopinathan Nair, Aluva |
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There are two halves to the life of Gopinathan Nair. The lasting image of the initial half is that of a diabetic patient who almost lost his eyesight by the age of 40 and who had to start insulin treatment. In the second half you could see him winning medals in the veterans’ meets at State level and even in international events.
What had made the patient who met the doctor at the age of 60 with blood sugar count of 450mg to become a never-say-die athlete? The doctor had prescribed walking as a means to control the disease and Gopinathan Nair did just that. But during the morning strolls, he met and befriended many athletes and that turned out to be the turning point in his life.
Gopinathan Nair soon started showing his presence in State level veterans’ meet. From 1986 till 2002, he won the gold medal in 100, 200 and 400 m races. And the culmination of his athletic efforts was perhaps when he boarded the plane to take part in the veterans’ Asiad held at Kuala Lampur. He did not return empty handed but won for the country a bronze medal in the meet.
An ex-serviceman, he has the mind of a fighter even at the age of 80. Even now he jogs 5 times around the Central Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram and claims to finish 100m in 17 seconds.
Gopinathan Nair, who joined the armed forces, served in the Myanmar front during Second World War. After the war he worked in Brook Bond. During the 35 years of service, he was haunted by the disease. But those are all things of the past.
Wherever he is, he doesn’t miss 2 hours of jogging every morning.
Courtesy: Nevin John, Malayala Manorama, January 1, 2004
Contributed by: Administrator
