Parvej Khan Age, Family, Biography

Some Lesser Known Facts About Parvej Khan

• Parvej liked running since childhood and often ran on his farm.

• When he was a teenager, he started running in local running events where he often defeated much older boys.
  

  Parvej Khan during his teenage years

• He completed his school education through distance learning. His father once scolded him after the 9th standard results as he barely passed that subject.

• He was once told to pay Rs 20,000 to train at the sports academy of the Haryana government in Gurugram but declined the offer as he could not afford it.

• His uncle, Khalid Hussain, a teacher, served as his mentor and helped him with his studies.
  

  Parvej Khan with his uncle, Khalid Hussain (left)

• In 2018, he won the 2 km race in Reliance Youth Sports Event in Mumbai.
  

  Parvej Khan during a running event in Mumbai

• At the age of 13, Khan made up his mind to become an athlete and went to New Delhi where he trained at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi while staying at his uncle’s place.

• He later shifted to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) training centre in Bhopal where he trained under Anupama Srivastava.
  

  Parvej Khan (extreme left) with his coach, Anupama Srivastava (second from left)

• In 2021, he was disqualified from the National Junior Championships in Guwahati after being declared overage for the tournament.

• In 2021, he was offered a job under the sports quota by the Indian Navy after winning a gold medal in the Open National Championships in 2021, held in Warangal.
  

  Parvej Khan (left) in the Indian Navy uniform

• In an interview, Khan said that the job with the Indian Navy provided him with the necessary financial support, and he was able to help his family by paying off his loans.

• He later took part and won medals in many age-group running competitions while representing Madhya Pradesh and Services Sports Control Board (SSCB).
  

  Parvej Khan after winning the gold medal in the 36th National Games in 2022 for Services

• In 2023, he was selected as a member of the Indian group that went to train at the USA’s Olympic training centre in Colorado, USA but suffered a hairline fracture while training there.

• In early 2023, a Moroccan friend of Khan advised Khan to apply to one of the US universities and also introduced him to Will Palmer, a coach at the University of Florida.

• He later took a SAT (Standard Aptitude Test) exam in Colorado and did not score much in it but Palmer managed to get a scholarship letter for Khan to attend the University of Florida. His scholarship included a waiver of tuition and hostel fees with a Rs 2 lakh yearly stipend.
  

  Parvej Khan (right) at the University of Florida

• He later got permission from the Indian Navy and started studying at the University of Florida in 2023.

• Khan came 34th in the SEC Championships in 2023 in 8000 metres and 66th in the South Region Cross Country Championships of NCAA Division in 2023 in 10000 metre runs.
  

  Parvej Khan running during an athletics event

• Palmer later said that Khan had a competitive attitude and was full of determination and physical ability, which helped him fit into Florida’s sporting culture.

• He later became famous for his signature running style with his chain between his teeth and finishing kicks.
  

  Parvej Khan (left) running with his chain in his mouth

• In 2024, Florida Gators chose him as ‘Freshman of the Week’. He was also recognised as the US Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) First Team All-American.

KILLER KICK 🦶#GoGators 🐊 | @SECNetwork pic.twitter.com/wX9FWtuyt8

— Gators Track and Field & Cross Country (@GatorsTF) May 10, 2024

• Khan said in an interview that he wanted to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics by crossing the 3.33.50 mark for 1500-metre events.

• His routine includes waking up at 5 am for a training session at 6 am, followed by breakfast. He attends his first class at 9:30 am. The second training session takes place around 2 pm followed by tuition classes from 6 to 8:30 pm.

• His family members praised Khan’s commitment to athletics and said that he does not talk to them during training or competitions.
  

  Parvej Khan with his mother

• As of May 2024, his personal best world ranking is 187 in the Men’s 1500 metres, 292 in the Men’s 800 metres, and 2089 in Men’s overall rankings.