How did Irfan Kolothum Thodi perform at 2020 Tokyo Olympics? A look at the Indian athlete's performance at previous Olympic Games

Irfan Kolothum Thodi is an Indian athlete and Indian Army Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO). Hailing from Malappuram, Kerala, he represented India at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021) in the 20km race walk event.

He had qualified for the Tokyo Olympics after a mesmerizing performance in the 20km event at the Asian Race Walking Championships in Nomi, Japan, in 2019, finishing fourth. In the 2017 edition of the competition, Irfan secured a bronze medal.

The 34-year-old was the first Indian from athletics to make the cut for the Tokyo Olympics, though he failed to leave a significant mark, finishing 51st with a timing of 1:34:41 in the previous Olympic Games.

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A deeper look at Irfan Kolothum Thodi's career

Irfan Kolothum Thodi has showcased his prowess in various competitions thus far. He achieved his personal best of 1:02:09 at the 2012 Federation Cup in Patiala, Punjab. Meanwhile, in his debut Olympic Games in London (2012), he set a new Indian national record in the 20km event, finishing 10th with a timing of 1:20:21.

This was a landmark moment for the country as it was the first top-10 finish for an Indian track and field athlete at the Summer Olympics since Zora Singh's eighth place in Rome in 1960.

Additionally, in the Federation Cup Senior Athletic Championship held the same year, Irfan clinched a gold medal with a time of 1:22:14, thus setting a new meet record.

In March 2013, Irfan Kolothum Thodi took part in the IAAF World 20 km Race Walking Challenge held in Taicang, China, and finished fifth. Meanwhile, he qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics but missed it due to a stress fracture.

In 2017, he won gold at the Max Bupa Race Walking Championship in Delhi with a time of 1:22:43 and also competed in the World Athletics Championships in London, where he finished 23rd with a time of 1:21:40.