"My mother even sold off some of her jewellery to fund my training requirements" - DP Manu recounts difficult childhood as he hunts Olympics 2024 spot

On the brink of securing his maiden Olympic qualification, javelin thrower Manu DP is both nervous and determined at the same time.

The Karnataka lad is just one throw away from joining reigning Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra and Asian Games silver medallist Kishore Jena in the India line-up at the 2024 Paris Games.

However, that one throw has been maddeningly elusive. The most recent outing at the Federation Cup in Odisha added to the frustration as Manu could only manage a disappointing 82.06 meters, far short of the Olympic qualifying mark of 85.50 meters and his own personal best of 84.35.

“I could have done much better. I was unable to get my technique right and was finding it difficult to throw the javelin with the perfect elevation which affected my performance,” Manu told Sportskeeda.

The poor show at the Federation Cup has dealt a big blow to Manu’s chances of joining Chopra and Jena on the flight to Paris.

Before the Odisha meet, Manu held a comfortable 11th spot in the Road to Paris rankings. The top 12 in the rankings will get to compete in Paris. However, he has dropped to 16th in the list and is facing an uphill battle to ensure Olympic qualification.

“Qualify toh karna hi padega (I must qualify). I was confident of clinching qualification at the Federation Cup. I still have an international event on May 30 and the inter-state meet. I will try my best to achieve qualification in these competitions,” Manu said.

“I must admit that I am a bit nervous. But there is no pressure. I will just have to go and give my best on the day of the competition,” he added.

DP Manu's Olympics dream stands alive

The 24-year-old from the Indian Army has the Paris Olympics firmly in his sights and is backing himself for a podium finish at the quadrennial extravaganza.

“I have gone beyond 86 meters during training. I know that on the big day, if I can emulate the best performance that I achieved during training, I will have a strong chance of winning an Olympic medal,” Manu said.

“Right now, I am totally focused on qualifying. Once I qualify, I will just concentrate on achieving my personal best at the Olympics,” he added.

Training in SA, Niggles & Recovery - A difficult road to Paris Olympics

However, despite high sky-high confidence, Manu has his work cut out if he is to fulfill his dream of wearing the Indian kit on the Olympic stage.

He had undergone a rigorous training stint in Potchefstroom, South Africa as part of his preparations for the Olympic qualifiers.

However, his most recent competition – the Indian Grand Prix I in Bengaluru – turned out to be disappointing as he could only manage an attempt of 81.91 meters, which was far short of both his personal best and the Paris Olympics qualifying standard.

“The training stint in South Africa helped me a lot. It helped me to increase my power. The weather was nice over there and I really enjoyed my training sessions,” he said.

“I had a slight niggle during the Bengaluru meet, but now I am fully fit and am looking forward to future events.”

DP Manu's fulfills his 'destiny' despite a difficult childhood

Resting in his room during much-needed breaks in between the rigorous training sessions, an exhausted Manu reflects back to his childhood days in a dusty, nondescript village in the Hasan district of Karnataka.

“I never thought that I would become an athlete and represent India one day. My school coach was building a team for an inter-school competition and told me to compete in the javelin event. It all happened by pure chance. I guess it was my destiny,” he said.

“From the school team, I gradually graduated to inter-district meets and my journey eventually led me to the national squad.”

However, this incredible journey would not have been possible without the staunch support of his family, particularly his parents. Manu became emotional as he recalled how his mother had to sell her jewelry to meet his training expenses.

“I belong to a lower middle-class family. My parents did not have enough financial means to support my training. But my mother is a former national level athlete and she encouraged me to follow my dreams. My mother even sold off some of her jewellery to fund my training requirements such as shoes, diet and supplements,” Manu said.

“When I think of those difficult days, it gives me even more motivation. If I manage to perform well at the Olympics, all trouble that my parents had to undergo for my sake will be worth it.”