IT is a truly remarkable comeback story by former national athlete N. Shanmuganathan who has resurrected from a has-been and a nasty motorcycle accident, to return to the tracks after 16 years.
The 43-year-old Penangite, who still holds the Malaysian national record of 8:59.10 for the men’s 3000m steeplechase, has won three golds and one silver at the Asia Pacific Masters Games 2018 in Penang.
It was a blow to him that despite achieving the 3,000m steeplechase record in the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, he was later dropped for the Bangkok Asian Games the same year.
Disillusioned, he quit athletics soon after that.
His life was further shattered when in February 2015, he met a motorcycle accident which left him with a serious head injury and in a coma for 14 days.
It took him more than a year to regain full memory. It was then he decided that he would turn things around for himself.
“Instead of wallowing in self-pity, I wanted to prove that I have what it takes to make a comeback and do what I love most, which is running,” said Shan, a former Westland School student.
Later after his SPM, he moved to Selangor. He only represented Penang in Sukma. He went on to compete in the Asean University Games, Selangor and the nation.
Shan recovered slowly from his motorcycle accident and decided to return to the tracks in late 2016.
After one year and eight months of training, he managed to shed 20kg to compete at the APMG 2018.
“Many people asked me ‘how can you compete again’ because after my accident my weight was 97kg. I just told them I will.
Probably his tagline on his name card clearly explains his never-say-die attitude. It reads “I am born to win. I live the rest of my life as a champion.”
Indeed, he has once again regained his champion status. He bagged gold medals in the 10km road race, 3,000m steeplechase and 5,000m and silver in the 1,500m events while competing in the 40 and above age category at the City Stadium.
And the icing to his comeback story was when he was selected to read the oath on behalf of the participants at the APMG 2018 opening ceremony last Saturday.
“I was shocked when asked to read the oath. It was a last-minute call up to read the oath. I received the call on the eve of the opening ceremony to come for the rehearsal. I must thank (Sports Commissioner) Datuk Zaiton Othman for recommending me to the organisers for the oath reading.
Shan, a sports science graduate from UPM, said his biggest mistake was when he quit his ten-year job with Maybank in 2002 to start a business and return to Penang.
“I believe things are turning around for me and I am determined to make amends for all my mistakes, including failure in business, and start afresh,” said Shan, who is married with a 12-year-old son.
Story and photo courtesy of APMG 2018