Basant Bahadur Rana’s Outlook on Indian Walking

• Race walker-turned-coach Basant Bahadur Rana optimistic about the future of Indian walking.
• Believes with government support, AFI, and corporates, India can compete with Chinese and Japanese athletes.
• Highlights India’s progress in walking since the 2012 London Olympics, winning medals in Youth Olympics, Junior World Championships, World University Games, and World Team Championships.
• Notes that only men have participated in every Olympics since 2012, with women starting to participate since 2016.
• Highlights Indian race walkers’ medals in the 2010 Commonwealth Games and national records in the Asian Games.
• Believes Indians can still earn gold in Asian Games despite tough competition.
• Indian male walkers Vikash Singh and Paramjeet Singh Bisht are considered close to world level.
• Brian Pintado won a surprise gold in the Paris Games.
• Technique is crucial in race walking, with athletes receiving red cards and disqualifications based on contact loss and leg bend.
• Encourages around 500 athletes, including juniors, to pursue race walking and prescribes good coaching and exposure for young walkers.