Siddharth Sunil’s journey: From Asian Games miss to Asian champ

CHENNAI: Following his decision to step away from rowing in 2018 after missing out on selection for the Asian Games, Tamil Nadu’s Siddharth Sunil has made an impressive return. Siddharth decided to pursue the sport once again in 2023 and, fuelled by his unwavering passion, recently won gold in men’s individual 2000m (30-39 age category) at the Asian Indoor Championships in Thailand.

Siddharth clocked 6:25.10 to become the Asian champion. “I picked up the sport again while doing my Masters in applied strength and conditioning in the UK. The country is one of the best for rowing and the standard is very high compared to India. When I returned to India, I carried a lot of things that I learnt there and it helped me,” Siddharth told TOI .

“When I decided to row again, my objective was not to make a comeback to the national team; rather, it was purely for the love of the sport. I found that my timings were good, and I was performing better than when I was doing it seriously.”

While athletes usually have to hire a strength and conditioning coach to look after them, Siddharth does not need one to go elsewhere. Being a strength and conditioning coach himself, Siddharth, the rower, has transformed into a better version.

He trains athletes from various disciplines, including multiple time Asian Games medallist in squash, Harinder Pal Sandhu. “It is a game changer for me (Siddharth). I wish I had this when I was younger and training seriously. I feel it would have made all the difference. I am able to optimise my own training programme now, and I am still learning.” Siddharth’s focus for now is to get better in Indoors and will look to have a go at the outdoors next season provided everything falls into place.

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