Gopi chasing Asian Games glory and National record

Olympian Gopi Thonakal now has a singular obsession — break the long-standing Nationwide report in marathon.

Shivnath Singh’s Jalandhar Mark of two:12.00 has stood the check of time for 48 years and continues to elude the elite marathon runners within the nation.

The 37-year-old Gopi got here agonisingly near breaking the report when he clocked 2:12.23 on the Valencia Marathon in December 2025. He was heading in the right direction however cramps by the 36km mark slowed him down and he missed setting a Nationwide report by a whisker.

“If not for the cramps in my calves, I’d have damaged the Nationwide report in Valencia. I used to be dissatisfied. Nevertheless it (nationwide report) has stored me motivated and my dream is to interrupt it earlier than I retire,’’ stated Gopi from his coaching base in Udhagamandalam.

Gopi received one other alternative within the New Delhi Marathon in February this 12 months however completed second (2:13.12) behind Kartik Karkera (2:13.10). Gopi, Kartik and Man Singh punched their tickets for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Video games by attaining the Athletics Federation of India’s (AFI) qualifying mark (2:15.04).

“Qualifying for the Asian Video games was my fundamental goal on the New Delhi marathon. The truth that three of us certified from the identical race confirmed how aggressive it was. The extreme rivalry among the many three of us has been mutually useful, pushing us to carry out higher. It’s good to have firm in a serious occasion, as we are able to work as a staff and pose a critical problem to runners from Japan and China,” stated Gopi, a former Asian champion within the occasion.

Having certified for the Asian Video games, Gopi desires to interrupt the Nationwide report there. “I reckon I’ve to do one thing beneath 2:09 for a podium end if the race is fairly quick. However typically the race could also be gradual and end in 2:15. I really feel I’m able to doing a sub 2:10. My physique is in fine condition and I’m coaching arduous. It might be good if I get an opportunity to compete in a single or two marathons earlier than the Asian Video games,’’ stated Gopi, who participated within the Rio Olympics.