Vikrant Malik
{{Short description|Indian athlete (born 1996)}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
| name = Vikrant Malik
| fullname = Vikrant Malik
| image =
| caption =
| nationality = Indian
| sport = Athletics
| event = Javelin throw
| rank = 36
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|1|2|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Panipat, Haryana, India
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height = 1.72 m
| weight = 75 kg
| pb = 81.82 m (2022){{cite web |title=Vikrant Malik Profile |url=https://worldathletics.org/athletes/india/vikrant-malik-14672706}}}}
Vikrant Malik (born 2 January 1996) is an Indian track and field athlete who competes in the Javelin throw.{{Cite web |title=Kishore Jena |url=https://www.orisports.com/PersonDetails.aspx?pId=MTI2OA== |access-date=2023-10-23 |website=orisports.com |archive-date=2024-06-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610022553/https://www.orisports.com/PersonDetails.aspx?pId=MTI2OA== |url-status=live }}
Early life
Vikrant Malik was born in the village of Ugra Kheri in Panipat district, Haryana, India. He was introduced to sports at an early age by his father, Rajender, a former javelin thrower and army man, who recognized his son's natural shoulder strength and fast throwing action. Although Malik initially played volleyball, his relatively modest height (5 feet 8 inches) led him to pursue javelin throw, a sport where speed and technique can offset physical stature.{{Cite web|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/athletics/vikrant-malik-india-javelin-thrower-80m-attempt-north-east-university-games-injuries-lost-time/article66309575.ece|title=Vikrant Malik, India’s latest entrant in 80m javelin club, looks to make up for lost time|first=Jonathan|last=Selvaraj|date=December 27, 2022|website=Sportstar}}
Career
Malik began competing seriously in 2014, recording a throw of 66.54 meters at the junior Federation Cup in Chennai. However, shortly after his debut, he suffered a severe case of tennis elbow in his throwing arm, which sidelined him for nearly three years. The injury, caused by overuse and improper technique, brought his career to a standstill, and he was advised by multiple doctors to either undergo surgery or quit the sport. Eventually, he found a sports physiotherapist who guided his recovery through a year-long therapy regimen.
Despite recurring injuries, including a relapse of tennis elbow in 2019 and a back strain, Malik continued to persevere with the support of his father. His comeback was further delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but in 2022, he finally returned to full competition. That year marked his first complete season since 2014, highlighted by a personal best of 77.82 meters at the Inter-University Athletics Championships.{{cite web |title=Olympics article |url=https://www.olympics.com/en/news/meeting-cidade-de-lisboa-2024-athletics-javelin-throw-india-vikrant-malik}}
In December 2022, Malik threw 81.89 meters at the North East University Games in Bhubaneshwar, earning a gold medal and becoming the tenth Indian javelin thrower to surpass the 80-meter mark. At 26, he was the oldest first-time entrant into India’s elite “80m club,” which includes Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra. Malik’s achievement was especially significant given his smaller frame and history of injuries. Despite ongoing pain, particularly in cold weather, he continues to train with hopes of qualifying for major international competitions, including the Asian Games.{{cite web |title=Throw medal |url=https://worldathletics.org/competition/calendar-results/results/7207689?eventId=10229636&gender=M}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{sports links}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Malik, Vikrant}}
Category:Indian male javelin throwers
Category:People from Panipat district