Ahmedabad: At the time when many retired government employees are nursing numerous ailments, Yashvantray Malvaniya, 65, a retired BSNL employee, is making his dream true. He is not only winning high jump medals at all national and international veterans meets, but is looking forward to represent India, reports Times of India.

Be it long jump, triple jump, javelin throw, shot put or sprint, he is good at them all. He missed the last Veterans World Games in Spain because of visa problems, but continues to pursue what he calls 'my only wish in life'. Malvaniya wanted to represent India ever since he was a nine-year-old village boy in Jasdan near Rajkot. He had good reason to dream. He had run 400 metres in 51 seconds barefoot on grass. The current Indian record stands at 45.48 minutes achieved by KM Binu during the Athens Olympic Games in 2004.

He could not achieve his dream during young days, as his father was bedridden and a family of six had to be taken care of. He left his dream and got a steady job soon after matriculation. From job to marriage to bringing up two children, his dream was forgotten, but not lost. As he was nearing retirement, he got a diploma in athletics from the National Institute of Sports, Patiala to coach himself.

"I thought he was mad when I first heard he was trying the Fosbury Flop at 62. But when I saw him doing it, it was obvious he was extraordinary. Malvaniya can shame a youngster with his fitness. He is a natural. One can only imagine what Malvaniya would have achieved had someone given this natural athlete a chance to live his dream as a youngster," says Apurba Biswas, Sports Authority of India athletic coach.