The woman behind runner Sanjay’s SEA Games dream

Successful partnership: M. Sanjay and his coach S. Jayanthi.

BANGKOK: There is a saying that behind every successful man stands a woman and for national long distance runner M. Sanjay, it is his coach S. Jayanthi.

Her guidance and belief have been pivotal in helping Sanjay earn his debut at the Thailand SEA Games.

“My coach has been my biggest support system. She believes in small, steady progress,” said Sanjay.

“I won over 35 races last year, from track to road events, and it only happened because she guided me through every challenge.

“I followed her advice, stuck to her training and diet plans and kept learning.

“I’m grateful for everything so far, and I just hope to do my best at the SEA Games.”

Jayanthi, an International Athletics Federation (IAF) Level III coach and founder of K Super Star Johor Athletics Club has been training Sanjay for the past seven years, from his school days to his leap into elite competition.

“She actually saw my potential long before I saw it in myself. She took me from zero to where I am today,” he said.

“She doesn’t only guide me in training, she supports me in every aspect – physically, mentally, financially, even in daily needs.

“It was her dream to compete in the SEA Games when she was my age, so now every step I take and every victory I achieve feels like hers too.”

Sanjay will feature in the 10,000m event at the Supachalasai Stadium on Dec 16, running alongside another rising Malaysian star, Kristian Tung.

Originally from Pasir Gudang, Sanjay now lives in Ulu Tiram as a full-time athlete training with Super Star but also looking to pursue his tertiary education soon.

“I want to pursue a business course for extra knowledge, but my true dream is to become a certified athletics coach one day and continue my coach’s legacy.

Sanjay impressed this year when he clocked 31:03 in the 10km road race at the Songkhla marathon in September, beating the previous national best time of 31:55 set by G. Vimal last year.

However, the mark was quickly surpassed by teammate Kristian, who ran 30:07 at the Rotterdam marathon days later.

On the track, Sanjay’s best remains 31:17.49, the time that won him the Malaysian Open in August – a performance he hopes to better at the SEA Games.