NEW DELHI: A well-kept Rs 500 note, affixed to the back cover of his mobile phone, has traveled every step of Gurindervir Singh’s remarkable journey. The folded scroll, which the national historian calls his “lucky charm”, is a reminder of his struggling days – he would find it difficult to earn money for training and didn’t have enough money to pay for going to practice in Punjab.“Someone helped me when I needed it most. That note has been with me ever since,” said Gurindervir, refusing to reveal the full story. “The whole story is for my biopic.”Today, the 25-year-old Indian Navy athlete has a very big story to tell. At the Federation Cup in Ranchi late last month, Gurindervir became the first Indian to break the barrier of 10.10 seconds in the men’s 100m, maintaining the national record of 10.09 seconds. The win is just one big step, he believes.“My goal does not stop at 10.09. If I remain consistent, continue to train well, recover well and follow the schedule, I believe that running 10 is possible in future races,” said Gurindervir confidently.Under the mentorship of James Hillier at the Reliance Foundation, Gurindervir has changed his studies and his thinking. Every part of his preparation – strength, running, walking, recovery, nutrition and competition – is carefully planned. “In the beginning I had to manage everything myself. Now I have support from teachers, physiotherapists and nutritionists. We prepared every part of the training, from strength to speed, and the results have followed,” he said.I have European training in Spala, Poland starting in July with big goals including the upcoming Commonwealth Games and Asian GamesGurindervir’s next step is clear. “I have already broken the 10.10 barrier. Now, I am chasing a lot – becoming the first Indian to run in 10 years,” he said.One important reason for Gurindervir’s success was his deep understanding of his race. “My start has always been good, but in the past I struggled to maintain my speed in the last 30 meters. This year, we worked a lot on improving my acceleration, running angles, block exit and foot strike. My method of competition is simple – accelerate through the first 30 meters, build to a high speed around 60 to 65 meters and keep it until the end,” he said.Her favorite exercises are squats and cleans. He lifts 220kg in the half squat and 145kg in the hang clean – numbers that prove the power of India’s best athlete. “I maintain a body fat percentage of around 6 to 7% during training before lowering it to 5 to 6% during competitions,” he added.However, the road to success was difficult. Between 2021 and 2023, Gurindervir battled intestinal problems caused by poor diet and poor water during his stay at a sports hostel in Punjab. The low income means that they often survive on poultry without meat after training.“We were not always able to find the right food. Sometimes we only ate food. Sometimes even what was not available. The drinking water was poor and all this damaged my health,” he said.The condition worsened to such an extent that he lost about 12 kg within a week and was struggling to eat. His career as a speedster seemed to be in jeopardy. Medical treatment, a nutritional plan and scientific support under Hillier helped him rebuild his body and come back strong.Most important was his emotional evolution. Gurindervir admitted that a year ago, the sudden fame and media attention often weighed on him. “If you had met last year’s Gurindervir, he would have been under pressure. I used to think about interviews and expectations all the time. My teacher helped me understand how to stay motivated and maintain a positive attitude. Now I don’t take undue pressure. I am a carefree person,” he said.His rivalry with fellow athlete Animesh Kujur has added another dimension to Indian athletics. The pair exchanged national records three times within 24 hours before Gurindervir came out on top with his run of 10.09 seconds.“Off the track we are friends and we often sleep. It’s good competition because we push each other to do better. “Even as recognition grows, Gurindervir’s dedication continues. He hasn’t returned home for over a year, eager to achieve big goals before celebrating. “My family keeps asking me to come back home. I tell them I won’t go back empty-handed. I want to bring something special.”