After losing his coach to Covid, Siva pays tribute with a gold medal and record at the National Games.
After losing his coach to Covid, Siva pays tribute with a gold medal and record at the National Games. When Siva Subramani, the top vaulter in the country, saw his former coach, Don Wilcox, leave for Covid in May of last year, he feared his athletic career was gone.
In particular, Siva’s loss of Wilcox, a former customs officer he refers to as his “backbone,” was difficult for the 26-year-old to bear. He lost his focus and his will to pursue the sport.
The man was my rock. If Siva asks you, “What would you do if you lose yours?” you should have an answer ready. The Tamil Nadu competitor understood he had to pick himself up and keep vaulting. He could not let his late coach down.
Therefore, it was fitting that Siva, after breaking his national record by jumping over 5.31m and winning gold at the National Games, should give his medal to his former mentor. His eyes welled up, and he said, “It’s for him,” as he clutched the medal tightly in his hands. I genuinely miss him.”
Statements
When he went away, I felt like throwing in the towel entirely. I was distraught. He acted as a guide, a support system, and a coach for me. He inspired me to pursue a career in athletics. I owe him everything,” says Siva following his victory on Monday when the rest of the field couldn’t even cross the 5m barrier.
The chance meeting between Siva and Wilcox feels fated. Coach Don was driving to the Thanjavur temple of Poondi Madha (Mother Mary) when he caught sight of Siva in Kallanai, which is on the way to the church.
I was out with some pals enjoying a stroll when he spotted me. He paused and inquired whether I was a pole vaulter. Since my brother used to be a vaulter and coach Wilcox was well-known, I immediately recognized him. Siva, who was 17 at the time, reflects, “He undoubtedly saw my videos on social media.
Siva told Wilcox that he would like to train under him and the latter promptly accepted. He told me to be ready to move to Chennai. He provided me with free training, accommodation, and even spending money while I was there, as Siva puts it.
Wilcox took the adolescent in as one of his own children. He arranged for Siva to attend the prestigious Loyola University and covered his tuition and living expenses for the first year. Siva won a college scholarship in her sophomore year after setting a new junior national record in the Fed Cup.
The transition from marine to terrestrial habitat
Pole vaulting wasn’t Siva’s first love; he was a promising swimmer. As there were no swimming pools in his hometown, the young man trained at the Kallanai dam in the Trichy district of Tamil Nadu.
His older brother, Tamilarasan, once brought Siva to a college competition in which he participated. There was a magical quality to it. The amazing technique in which Tamilarasan cleared that bar. Siva says, “Right then and then, I knew I wanted to try vaulting.”
The two-time U.S. national open champion has set his sights on the 5.55-meter qualifying mark for the Asian Games. Siva recognizes a significant gap between Indian vaulters and their foreign counterparts, but he is committed to closing that gap. He declares, “I want to smash that barrier and make history.”
Declarations
After Wilcox passed away, his deaf and mute son Gerald took over the responsibility of training his father’s charges, Siva. “Coach Gerald sticks to the same fitness routines and training regiment as Don Sr. “We are steadily figuring out my shortcomings, and it’s going nicely,” adds Siva.
Siva’s training by Wilcox to recognize a wide variety of gestures has made it easy for him to communicate with Gerald.
As a result of our extensive time together, coach Gerald and I are always in sync with one another’s thoughts. He has excellent lipreading skills so that I can follow his every move. It’s not hard since even instructor Don extensively used motion and gesture in his lessons.
The coach may have to sit a little back during games, making it impractical for him to give instructions to his team. We get it, Siva adds, adding that he’ll video call Gerald later to show off his award.
But there is no doubt who would have been the proudest to see Siva’s latest medal. I would have been on a whole other level if Don sir had been present. There are many things I miss, but hearing his reprimand the most.
Training the Nalla of Thithuvaru (During training, he used to give me an earful). To a great extent, it aided in my development. I miss that so much,” says Shiva pushing his emotions back.
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