Athletics: Parvej Khan, who lit up America’s college circuit, is a showman on the track and a humble hard worker off it
Parvej Khan, 1500m specialist, is a social media hit for his flair while running on track. From egging on the crowds to cheer him, to biting onto his chain in the final lap and ending races with ecstatic celebrations – Khan certainly lives king-size on the field. Khan first came to the limelight in March when he became the first Indian track athlete to compete at the NCAA championships in Boston. The University of Florida athlete created a buzz again when he clocked the second-best 1500m timings of 3:36.21s in Portland earlier this month (Jinson Johnson’s NR :3:35.24s).
Khan’s race videos were a rage on social media and naturally, his phone hasn’t stopped buzzing with notifications ever since. For those who don’t know Khan personally, his race clips give you the impression that he’s a big-time showman who enjoys all the attention. He probably does but as soon as the races are wrapped up Parvej likes to bolt out of the venue to escape selfie requests. But at the Interstate Meet in Panchkula, where he finished with a rather unimpressive timing of 3:42.95s as per his standards, Khan was cornered by volunteers who wouldn’t let him go without a few pictures.
“I’ll be honest, I don’t like this attention. I feel there are so many better athletes around me and I feel they should be getting more attention. People on social media say I have a trademark celebration but that’s not true. The chain just pops up to my mouth when I am running harder and I just latch onto it,” says Khan who comes from Nuh district of Mewat.
Parvej Khan in action
He also brushes off the idea that his shoulder-length hair is some kind of style statement. “Wahan bahut mehenge kathe hai (A haircut in the US is very expensive). In Indian currency it costs around Rs 4000 so I thought I’ll get a haircut when I visit India,” he says.
When the 19-year-old was offered a scholarship to study and train at the University of Florida last year, he wasn’t sure if he could adapt to living in the US. His biggest barrier was language.
“My English wasn’t that good and I was pretty scared to make the move. I just decided to take the plunge and see where it goes,” Khan says. Fortunately for him, he met a set of friends in the US who not only pushed him to do well in sports but also helped him polish his English.
“People don’t understand the English accent there. I still remember how it took almost half an hour to explain to them that I was looking for an oven. At last, I had to write it down on a piece of paper and they were oh an oven (in their accent). So since then I have started picking up their accent and it makes communication easier,” he explained.
For Khan, competing in India after almost a year, also gives him an opportunity to visit home and enjoy his favourite meal- dal and sabji. But the thing he misses the most is his friends and family. “In the US people are very helpful and value relationships but there is something about India. The brotherhood and love I feel here is different. A lot of people think I want to settle in the US but I want to come back. I am too attached to my friends and family.”
Paris setback for Manu DP
Manu DP’s Olympic hopes are all but over. A senior Athletics Federation of India official confirmed that 2023 Asian Championship silver medallist has flunked a dope test. His name has been withdrawn from the entry list of the ongoing Interstate Meet as per the National Anti-Doping Agency’s request. “We have received some inputs and enquiry is on. Whether it is an issue with the sample or something else, we aren’t sure yet. We are investigating,” AFI president Adille Sumariwalla said on Friday. Manu was one of the brightest javelin throwers on the circuit and was in the reckoning for the Olympics through rankings.
