Lovrinder Singh at JRD Tata Sports Complex on Thursday. Picture by Animesh Sengupta

Tata Athletics Academy (TAA) cadet Lovrinder Singh is back in the steel city and raring to go after slotting home the 2,000 metres steeplechase gold at the three-day National Youth Athletics Championship in Bangalore from July 13.

The 18-year-old came up with his personal best while breasting the tape at 6:04:14 minutes, seconds behind the meet record of 6:01:23.

“I’m happy with my performance. I will try to improve my timing,” said the athlete who joined the academy in October 2009. He added he was in good form and everything clicked in Bangalore.

“I’ve been running well and was confident of notching the top slot,” Lovrinder, who represented the state, added.

After joining the TAA, Lovrinder concentrated on 800m before switching to 1,500m.

“Lovrinder used to compete in the 800m till 2010. He also claimed a silver in a national meet. But he turned to 1,500m, bagging gold and silver in the east zone championship and a national meet,” TAA coach Bagicha Singh said.

Singh, an Arjuna awardee, is coaching Lovrinder for three years now. “Lovrinder’s a good talent who is capable of producing better results. I am very optimistic that he will continue to make an impression at the national level,” he said.

Some TAA cadets such as Ritu Dinkar, adjudged the best senior athlete in the 34th National Games last year, are regulars in the state squad who have gone on to win medals at national meets.