Ex-MLA from Kerala, won two bronze medals at the World Masters Athletics Championships

In the Kerala Legislative Assembly elections in 2006, CPI (M) leader MJ Jacob had recently defeated four-time MLA TM Jacob in the Piravom constituency. The new MLA was invited to the opening of a sports meet at Maharajas College in Ernakulam by his old acquaintances from Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore (FACT). Jacob, a former college track and field champion, went above and above the usual flag-off. Though he staggered a little in the 100m, it reignited his love for athletics. It started him on a path to international stardom, which he has eventually attained 16 years later, at the age of 81.

Jacob, who has already won many national and Asian seniors athletics championships, took bronze in two hurdles — 200m and 80m — at the World Masters Athletics Championship 2022, which concluded on July 10 in Tampere, Finland. Athletes above the age of 35 can compete in masters championships, for those who are unfamiliar. Jacob received medals in the 80-plus age group.

This is my first medal from a World Championship in a singles competition. I’m not sure if that counts as a noteworthy achievement. But it’s really fulfilling, Jacob said to the press following Finland’s triumph.

Jacob was competing in his fourth World Masters, after tournaments in France (2015), Australia (2016), and Spain (2018). He also competed in Asian Masters in Japan 2014  , Singapore in 2016, China in 2017, and Malaysia in (2012.

Jacob, who just won the national meet in Chennai, was scheduled to participate in the long jump in Finland as well. However, an intermuscular fat deposits in his legs robbed him of explosive strength. As a result, he missed the horizontal jump event.

Regular physical activity

Most politicians in Kerala don’t have time for themselves, but Jacob makes an exception. “I get up about 4 a.m. and run for at least 4 kilometres.” I do yoga on occasion. Before I start working on other duties in the morning, I make sure to do my physical activity. Even if it rains, I will not skip my morning run. “I don’t do any particular workouts, but I do these things every day to be ready for tournaments,” Jacob said, adding that he occasionally trains at Manimalakunnu Government College Grounds in Piravom, which he built with his MLA budget.

Another contributing aspect to his success is his healthy diet. “It’s possible that you’ll receive invitations to some occasions, like weddings, very regularly as a politician.” Jacob declared, “I make an effort to visit all of these, but I don’t indulge excessively in the pleasures these locations have to offer.

When Jacob was young, his racing career was cut short by an awful accident. He was getting ready to compete in the legendary Kakkoor Kalavayal (bull racing) event with his father Joseph, a traditional healer. Jacob was racing beside the bullock waggon when it accidently ran over his foot, causing severe injuries. Sports took a back seat, and politics took over.

“I served twice as president of Thirumarady Gram Panchayat.” “Thrumarady earned the prize for the finest panchayat in the state during my tenure,” added Jacob, who ran unsuccessfully for assembly from Piravom three more times following his 2006-11 service as MLA, including one bypoll in 2012.

In the future

Jacob states that his family is completely behind him at the carrying on. They don’t advise me to remain in because they think I’ll be wounded playing a sport at this age, so they don’t. Accidents may happen whenever. However, I intend to keep going as long as my body and mind will allow,” he said.

It’s obvious that he doesn’t want to unwind and take it easy. You realize you always have a lot of learning when you compete against Europeans, Jacob commented. I want to get better so that when I compete internationally, this bronze will become gold.