8 Best Indian Athletics Books to Read

Blurb:

There are few sports novels in India and even fewer around Indian athletics. This exciting new book by Amrith Gopinath is an attempt to change that. The Prodigal Sprinter is the story of Sachin Thomas, whose father wants him to become a successful cricketer, even naming his son after the legend.

But when Sachin discovers a talent for sprinting, he’ll go on to break several national awards with the help of his friend Dhruv and some quirky coaches. However, with his increasing arrogance and fights with the Indian sports system, many challenges lay ahead. Set in the exciting world of athletics, this book captures the dreams, failures, and victories of Indian athletes, culminating with an action-packed race at the 2024 Olympic Games.

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Blurb:

Our first pick in the best Indian athletics books collection is the story of a modern sporting icon. From a small town in Orissa to the biggest championships, all her sporting ambitions would come to a stop, with the Athletics Federation of India dropping her from the 2014 Commonwealth Games with its “hyperandrogenism” policies. Fighting her way back and getting her ban suspended, she became the first Indian woman sprinter to win a gold at the Summer Universiade, Napoli. Also, the first Indian sportsperson to acknowledge their same-sex relationship openly, Dutee Chand is a modern icon in all aspects, creating her own path and living life the way she wants.

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Blurb:

The entire country was taken aback when the javelin thrower from the small town of Khandra won an Olympic gold medal, a first for any Asian in javelin. Chopra was teased about his weight from a young age. When he was thirteen, his family launched “Operation Neeraj Fitness” and sent him to Shivaji Stadium, where he discovered his knack for javelin throwing. Pritam depicts the transformation of a village youngster into a global athlete, as well as the courage and support that propelled him to success. As Chopra remains a mainstay in Indian athletics to win a medal again and repeat history, this uplifting book will inspire many present and future athletes.

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Blurb:

Few individuals have taken Indian athletics forward the way PT Usha has. This is the story of a girl from the humble village of Payyoli, Kerala, who would become the first Indian woman to participate in the Olympics. The Girl Who Loved to Run, both written and gorgeously illustrated by Lavanya Karthik, is the story of India’s sprint queen, PT Usha, as a young girl. Part of the Dreamers series by Duckbill, the short biography is certain to inspire young readers and athletes.

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One of India’s most heartbreaking sports stories is Milkha Singh’s Olympic loss. The Race of My Life is the tale of a remarkable athlete who survived the horrors of Partition, found meaning in running, won India’s first Commonwealth Games gold medal, and was dubbed the “Flying Sikh” in Pakistan. His perseverance in the face of adversity is remarkable, and remains a model for athletes everywhere. His writing reflects his simple but ambitious spirit, making it a must-read book on Indian athletics.

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If being a woman in a patriarchal world isn’t hard enough, being a woman in the world of sports is even more difficult. That’s why Sohini Chattopadhyay’s using the history of women in Indian athletics to chart the history of Indian women is as revelatory as it is engaging. Perhaps more than other sportswomen in team sports like cricket or tennis, running, being a solitary activity, enables women athletes like Ila Mitra, Mary D’Souza or PT Usha to challenge patriarchy more directly. These stories are more than simply sports stories; they’re also stories of breaking social barriers and chasing your dreams.

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Blurb:

Our next memoir on Indian athletics is the memoir of a long-distance runner. Dhananjay Yellurkar’s story is an inspiring journey of the victory of mental strength over the physical. After he faces a heart attack and open-heart surgery, he goes on to run marathons across the world, from the South African savannahs to the Antarctic icy terrains. This Indian athletics story is filled with grit and tenacity, showing the importance of discipline and courage in anyone’s life and motivating you to go out there and perform your best!

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When we talk of Indian athletics, we seldom dive into the critical topic of diet. Yes, training is important; yes, infrastructure is important; yes, perseverance and tenacity are important. But those things can be futile without the right nutrition. This book by Mihira A R Khopkar is an important piece for every current and aspiring athlete who aims to make it big. Using her experience as a competitive swimmer and now a sports nutritionist, Khopkar creates a science-backed, complete nutrition framework covering everything from macronutrients to periodical nutrition strategies. The book helps improve training outcomes and ensure a successful athletic career.

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