Priya Mohan aims for Asian Games medal under new coach’s guidance | More sports News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Returning to the track after a hamstring injury, talented Indian quarter-miler Priya Habbathanahalli Mohan is determined to reclaim her title as the country’s fastest runner in the 400m event. With her sights set on securing a medal in the upcoming Asian Games, the 20-year-old athlete is now under the guidance of new coach Anier Garcia from Cuba.
In 2021, at just 18 years old and competing at the junior level, Priya emerged as the fastest women’s 400m runner in the country, clocking an impressive time of 52.77 seconds. However, after failing to win individual medals in two world U-20 championships, she felt the need for a fresh start.
Two months ago, Priya parted ways with her long-time coach Arjun Ajay, who had discovered her talent during a national schools meet in 2018. She has since been training at the Inspire Institute of Sport in Bellary, Karnataka, under the guidance of Anier Garcia, the 2000 Olympic 110m hurdles champion from Cuba.

Reflecting on her journey so far, Priya shared, “I have had ups and downs in these four years of my career. Once you go up, you have to come down. That fall is important in an athlete’s life because it teaches you the lessons required to make a stronger comeback.”
She added, “I have started with a new coach, and I feel this is a new beginning. We have many more targets to achieve. I will try to become the fastest quarter-miler in 2023 and aim to win a medal in the Asian Games, but I cannot make any promises.”
At the 2018 Asian Games, Priya won a bronze medal with a time of 52.63 seconds. Her personal best stands at 52.37 seconds, achieved last year. She was also part of the bronze-winning Indian 4×400 mixed relay team in the 2021 World U20 Championships and the silver-winning team in 2022.
However, individual success has eluded her thus far in the 400m race. In 2021, she finished fourth, and in 2022, she failed to qualify for the final round. Priya suffered a hamstring injury in December 2022 and is still in the process of fully recovering. Despite this setback, she recently clinched the gold medal in the 400m event at the Federation Cup Senior National Championships in Ranchi with a time of 53.40 seconds.

Priya emphasised the need to work on her sprinting technique and improve her timing. She expressed her focus on the upcoming National Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar and the Asian Championships in Thailand. Her goal is to produce better timings and achieve complete fitness by then.
Under her new coach, Priya has been working on making slight adjustments to her running technique, emphasising high knees and long strides to cover more distance efficiently. She commended her coach’s aggressive approach and his ability to push her to her limits both physically and mentally.
While the initial plan was to participate in races in Europe in early July, the tight schedule following the Asian Championships may limit those opportunities. Priya, however, remains determined to explore the possibility of competing abroad to further enhance her skills and performance.
Currently pursuing her first year of post-graduation (MSc) in Mathematics at Mount Carmel College in Bengaluru, Priya balances her studies with her intense training regimen. With her aspirations set high and renewed determination, Priya Habbathanahalli Mohan is ready to make her mark at the Asian Games and beyond.
(With inputs from PTI)