File picture of Budhia Singh, who had found a mentor in Biranchi Das.

Bhubaneswar, Dec. 17: Child prodigy Budhia Singh, considered the country’s youngest marathon runner, was elated after hearing that the killers of his mentor Biranchi Das had been sentenced to life by a local court.

“I was really very happy to learn that my guru Biranchi Das’s murderer has been sentenced to life. He (Raja) should not be allowed to come out of jail under any circumstances,” said Budhia, who is staying at Sports Hostel on the premises of the Kalinga Stadium.

Nine-year-old Budhia has changed in the last two years. He looks a little taller and speaks with a trace of confidence.

A keen long distance runner, the boy never misses a single day’s practice. “I still remember how Biranchi sir used to put my nose to the grindstone. He used to run along with me and work with me for hours,” said the little boy.

With the passage of time he seems to have forgotten the smaller details of his association with Biranchi.

“A child cannot remember everything. But he still remembers Biranchi with fondness,” said one of his seniors at the Sports Hostel.

A student of Class III at Chandrasekharpur DAV School, Budhia loves his books just as much as running. “I get up early in the morning and go for my practice sessions with seniors here. Then I go to school where the subject I like most is social studies,” he said.

On holidays, Budhia runs nine kilometres at a stretch around the Kalinga Stadium.

“He stops running only after the coach asks him to stop. He is a born long-distance runner. But he cannot compete with others in sprints,” said Birsa Oram, one of his seniors.

Budhia shot to fame nearly two years ago when he ran the 65-kilometre distance from Puri to Bhubaneswar on 2 May, 2006, at the age of five. Later his name found a place in the Limca Book of Records.

“When I first came to the hostel, I used to get bored. But now I am enjoying my stay. I am going to school everyday,” said Budhia.

Not willing to be quoted, one of the coaches at the stadium said: “We know Budhia is a special child. Earlier, he was running to set records. Now we are preparing him for competitive games at different levels. We are trying to build up his stamina.”

Though Budhia aims to be a runner, he also remains determined to pursue higher education.