Personally, the transition from junior ranks to the men's section has been a long struggle for me. In 1992, I won my first major medal, the gold in Asian junior meet in New Delhi. I have since then been running in the shadow of Bahadur Prasad, who I consider as a very good friend and guide.

While I have been lucky to get an Asian Games medal in my very first Games, he has been unlucky not to get one in two previous attempts. In 1990 and 1994, despite running well in the previous years at the Asian Track and Field in 1989 and 1993, when he won the gold, he has failed to get an Asian Games medal. I sincerely hope he gets one in 1,500m and the 5,000m here.

This has been a great year whichprovided me the vital breakthrough. With Bahadur injured, I was under pressure to perform at the Asian Championships in Fukuoka. I was lucky to make to good use of it and won a silver in 5,000m and bronze in 10,000m. Though I had two medals in Asian Championships, everybody had told me the big test is Asian Games and I am happy I have managed a good result here. There is still my main event -- the 5,000m.

I feel I have improved my speed as was seen in the 1,500m I ran in the Nationals in Calcutta where I was second behind Bahadur. I clocked 3:42 and I knew I was ready for Bangkok and that build-up helped me in the good finish I had in the 10,000m today as I beat the Fukuoka winner, Baek Seung Do from Korea.

I did feel the pace was fast was in some stages but managed to stay with the leaders and only when the Japanese Kenji Takao and Ibrahim of Qatar made the break after the first half of the race did I feel I must stay back and fight for the bronze. I wanted the medal badly and I knew I could beat theKorean in the finish, even though he was with me till the last lap. I went all out from 600m and then in the final 200m the Korean fell back and the medal was mine.

I have a personal best and an Asian Games medal and now I can aim for the National record which belongs to Hari Chand at 28:48.26 and that was many years before I even thought about sport. We have been here in Bangkok since December 8 and the weather has improved dramatically in the last few days. It was hot when we came but now it is cool and good for long distance events.