SAI trainees overwhelmed by Powell's presence

Kolkata, December 18: The athletes, who were training at the Sports Authority of India's (SAI) Kolkata centre on Sunday morning had a surprise visitor in long jump record holder Mike Powell.

The legendary American was in town as chief guest for the Kolkata 25K run.

Powell, who had broken Bob Beamon's 23-year-old record with a leap of 8.95M at the 1991 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo was closely watching Bengal's promising long-jumpers at the SAI.

One of the SAI trainees - Suman Das - impressed the 54-year old most.
"You start working out on the speed to improve momentum before the jump. The speed is very important in the long-jump," was what Powell had to say to Suman, who is India's one of the promising long jumpers.

Vairabi Roy, another promising female jumper from Bengal also caught the eye of Powell who had some pearls of widom for the athlete who recently clinched silver in the Open National Championship.

"I'm simply spellbound after getting the tips. My coach is also overwhelmed. We've recorded his demonstration of that famous two-and-half feet strides in our mobile. Well see it and try to apply it from next training session," said Vairabi.

Abhishek Tiwari was another long jumper who impressed Powell who had this to say, "You're technically perfect. You only need the perfect body balance to execute more precise jumping."