His father groomed him for cricket glory.
But Sachin Thomas, named after the cricket legend himself, had other plans. His prodigious talent withered under the crushing weight of his father’s expectations before he decided to break free.
On a whim, he tried out for his school’s sprinting team and discovered a gift that would change his life forever. Guided by his loyal friend Dhruv and a colourful cast of eccentric coaches, Sachin poured his rebellion into sprinting, shattering national records with breathtaking speed. Yet with his rise came dangerous arrogance, clashing with the rigid Indian sporting system.
What will it take for him to shine on the international circuit and become a world-class sprinter? Is his ambition to become the first Indian to break the 10-second barrier in the 100m an impossible dream? Is he merely good, or is greatness within his grasp?
Set against the vibrant world of athletics, The Prodigal Sprinter captures the essence of dreams, failures, and triumphs, culminating in a heart-pounding climax at the 2024 Olympic Games.
Amrith Gopinath grew up in Mumbai, India. Playing sports and writing have always been an important part of Amrith’s life. He was an active member of his school and college literary associations and wrote regularly for his college magazine. He believes that sport has the power to change the world.
After spending 20+ years in marketing and storytelling for top global brands like Adidas, Nokia, Philips, and Levis, Amrith is now on a mission to inspire others to take up physical fitness and play sports. His debut novel, The Prodigal Sprinter, is a step in that direction. You can follow him @amrithgopinath on Instagram.
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