Servin Sebastian hopes to make final cut for Paris Olympics in 20km racewalk

By M Sudharshan

CHENNAI: From facing disqualification in the previous edition of the Indian Open Racewalking Championships in 2023, Servin Sebastian of Tamil Nadu has come a long way forward, breaching the Paris Olympics 2024 qualifying mark in the 20km racewalk.

Servin won the bronze medal after clocking a personal best timing of 1:20.03 in the South Asian & Indian Race Walking Championships held in Chandigarh on Tuesday.

“I fulfilled my expectations of winning a medal and simultaneously breached the Paris mark. In the last edition, I got disqualified but I am happy to have come back stronger. My next aim is to make the final squad for Paris (a total of six Indian athletes have crossed the qualification mark out of which only three can participate). We might be heading to South Africa for high-performance training – which is not confirmed officially – and then take part in the World Race Walking Championships,” Servin told TOI.

Hailing from Lalgudi in Trichy district, Servin started his career as a long-distance runner. After a few years, his focus shifted to racewalking.

“I started my career as a long-distance runner and then switched to racewalking. After completing my schooling, I trained under Indra ma’am, who has guided athletes including Subha Venkatesan. Then, I got an opportunity to attend trials for joining the Army under the sports quota. I was first deputed in Hyderabad and then shifted to ASI (Army Sports Institute), Pune.


“I had the hesitation to shift my base to Pune in November 2022, as I didn’t know anyone there. But it was Ranjith (brother of Arokia Rajiv) alongside a few others who pushed me to train in Pune for my betterment. The shift to Pune paid off. I started to gradually improve my time, winning medals in the national meets. Also, the job helped me look after my family,” said Servin.

The 24-year-old joined the Army at a young age and has been practising regularly at ASI under the tutelage of Ganapathi Krishnan. “I am training under Ganapathi sir at ASI. We had a long camp in Ooty before the National Championships. The training there helped me peak in the competition. Ganapathi motivated me a lot during my tough times. I had a hamstring pull ahead of the Nationals. It was my coach who pushed me to participate and told me to give my best. And it is because of him I am in this position,” concluded Servin.

If Servin makes the final cut for Paris, then he will become the second racewalker from TN to participate in the Olympics.


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