Meet Samarjeet Singh Malhi, the coach who has ignited javelin throw’s silent revolution
Samarjeet Singh Malhi, the coach of Kishore Kumar Jena, with an unwavering commitment to javelin throw, established an academy on his own land to produce the next generation of Indian throwers
DATE OF BIRTH
7 Nov 1988
STATE
Rajasthan
Meet Samarjeet Singh Malhi, the coach who has ignited javelin throw’s silent revolution
Samarjeet Singh Malhi, the coach of Kishore Kumar Jena, with an unwavering commitment to javelin throw, established an academy on his own land to produce the next generation of Indian throwers.
Meet Samarjeet Singh Malhi, the coach who has ignited javelin throw’s silent revolution
Javelin thrower Kishore Kumar Jena with his coach Samarjeet Singh Malhi
As the curtains fell on the men's javelin throw event at the Tokyo Olympics
By securing the historic feat, Neeraj not only achieved athletic glory but also captured the admiration of a billion-plus nation, resonating profoundly with the collective heartbeat of the nation.
India showcased its dominance in javelin throw at the World Championships too, with Neeraj notching up another incredible feat by winning the country’s first-ever gold medal at the prestigious event, while his fellow countrymen Kishore Kumar Jena and DP Manu made fifth and sixth place finishes.
In the Asian Games in Hangzhou, the domination of Indian javelin throwers in the continental showpiece was absolute as Neeraj Chopra and Kishore Kumar Jena clinched the first and second positions. It was Neeraj’s second successive Asian Games gold.
Samarjeet Singh Malhi, the coach of Kishore Kumar Jena and Shivpal Singh, attributed the noticeable shift in javelin throw in India to various aspects.
He, in an exclusive interview with The Bridge, emphasised that India’s rise in the sport is due to a substantial increase in the availability of javelins in the country, and the focus on providing scientific training to athletes which turned out to be a boon.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI), serving as the central authority for overseeing athletics in the country and holding affiliations with the IAAF, AAA, and the Indian Olympic Association, also plays a pivotal role in the administration of javelin throw in India. It also acted as a spur to the progress of the javelin throw.
Hailing AFI’s effort, coach Malhi said his coaching journey was spurred by encouragement from the federation.
He highlighted the contrast by mentioning that, in the current scenario, they possess around 50-60 javelins, each costing approximately Rs 1 lakh, a marked difference from the conditions during his own days of practising javelin throw.
Unwavering commitment to javelin throw
With an unwavering commitment to javelin throw, Malhi demonstrated resilience amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The crisis also opened a new window of development, with him establishing an academy named after his late mother, Surendar Kaul Malhi, in Ramsinghpur, Rajasthan.
Emphasizing that the genuine talent for javelin throwing often originates from rural India, Malhi said, "I worked on the grassroots level, starting from my village Ramsinghpur, and had over 70 kids."
Undeterred by scepticism, he inaugurated the academy on his personal land, constructing a track fuelled by encouragement from his sports enthusiast father.
The initiative attracted aspiring young talents from diverse corners of India, including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and southern regions. Coach
Malhi's efforts yielded tangible results, as many of these enthusiastic youngsters such as Vivek Kumar and Sachin Yadav progressed to compete at the national level.
Reflecting on the sport's unique allure, he remarked, "No one knew what javelin was exactly, but buses used to stop, and people got down just to watch how this sport was because it’s so interesting."
The science behind the ascent of Indian javelin
Through grassroots initiatives spearheaded by passionate individuals like coach Malhi, the trajectory of the javelin throw in India has #athletics #rajasthan #sportssufferchannel #sports #aashishbochalya #international #athlete #motivation #trackandfield experienced a notable ascent, captivating audiences nationwide with its compelling narrative and undeniable charm.
When queried about the technical intricacies of the sport, the coach, in drawing parallels with sports requiring hand-eye coordination or motor skills, underscored the paramount importance of an athlete's rhythm.
According to Malhi, specific exercises tailored for javelin throw play a crucial role. Additionally, factors such as the angle of attack and the thrower's withdrawal, considering the lightweight nature of the javelin, demand a delicate balance to ensure precision and effective execution.