In the recent National Road Cycling Championship, one of India’s most prestigious cycling events, held in Uttar Pradesh, city boy Parashuram Chenji made Telangana proud by bringing home the silver medal, the first for the new state and the only medal Hyderabad has secured in the past 25 years.
Parashuram was 16-years-old when he started taking a strong liking for cycling.
“I played football in school and I started cycling to practice. As years passed, I started cycling everywhere I wanted to go — to tuition, to work, even to parties!” says the 23-year-old, who goes to office on his cycle covering 22 km one way.
His father Arvind Chenji, a well-known photographer, was instrumental in motivating him to ride competitively, which he began just a year-and-a-half ago.
“My dad gifted me a cycle when I was young and saw to it that I took it everywhere. It was he who noticed that I could do it well. I have a super supportive family and everyone’s very happy with my choice. They have made sure that I get all that I need — the cost, nutrition, and anything else that it may take.”
This is not his first participation in the championship. “I have been able to be among the top 10 before, but this is the first time that I have won a medal. It is a great achievement, but I want to do better and clinch the gold the next time,” says a determined Parashuram. And he means it. “I practise six days a week and cycle anywhere between one to five hours every day,” he says.
For him, cycling feels like freedom, “When I’m on the bike, time flies. Apart from being fun, it is very convenient too. I can escape traffic by riding through the thickest of jams, faster than any public transport.”
Parashuram’s goal is to represent India in international races. He has trained in countries like Belgium, where there are around six races to choose from every day. When not training, Parashuram likes to write. He maintains a blog and keeps tab of all his cycling sojourns.
