The journey for Manjit was never easy. When he wasn’t undergoing strenuous training at Ooty and Bhutan, he would return home once a year to help his father herd cattle on their farm in their native village, Ujhana, in the Jind district of Haryana.

On March 31, 2016, Manjit Singh lost his job. His two-year contract with ONGC wasn’t renewed. On August 28, 2018, he became the third Indian to clinch gold at his debut Asian Games 2018, in the male 800m finals with a personal best of 1:46.15s, ahead of seasoned sprinter Jinson Johnson who clinched silver at 1:46.35.

It was India’s only second one-two at the Asian Games as Ranjit Singh and Kulwant Singh had won a gold and a silver at the inaugural edition in New Delhi in 1951.

Manjit’s gold was also the first after Charles Bor romeo’s feat in the 1982 Asian Games.

Such has been Manjit’s schedule that he hasn’t been able to meet his newborn son. “My son is four months old, but such has been his father’s schedule that he hasn’t got the chance to come home,” said Manjit’s wife Kiran.

“I was very hopeful. I had prepared accordingly. I never thought of bettering the national mark. I just wanted to give my best. I had strategised to follow runners initially and then push towards the last 100-150m. I did it and won gold for my country,” an elated Manjit said.

Speaking to the Indian Express, Manjit reveals how Kumar told him, “We’ll get you back in top shape. Magar Ghar ko bhoolna padega (You will have to forget family and home),” he recalls. Neither he nor his coach went to their homes for nearly a year.

“At the centre, most of the trainees are soldiers and sometimes, they take holidays but Manjit never took a leave. ‘Medal jeetna hai Desh ke liye, sir’ was what he would tell us. The last two days, this is all we’ve been dreaming about. The gold,” his coach said.

Needless to say, Manjit Singh is a man of his words.