Nothing Deters the Determined – Army Officer with spinal problem achieves great feat defying medical advice
By R. Anil Kumar
Bangalore. Col. Jangvir Lamba, An Indian Army Officer, aged 52 years, a native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, and currently posted at the Army Service Corps (ASC) Centre (South) Bengaluru, has achieved the great feat of Successfully completing the 38th Legendary Marathon Des Sables held in Sand of Moroccan Sahara, held between April 14-20, 2024.
This 4th generation Indian Army Officer, who was tested with the Spinal issues, defied medical advice to compete in Marathons like Ironman Triathlon and Sahara desert races.
Col. Lamba, interacting with R. Anil Kumar, India Strategic, says, ” I was a professional bodybuilder for over 15 years weighing 110 Kgs, and over the years, my spine got affected. The day I came down with massive shoulder pain and numbness in the two fingers of Right hand, an MRI revealed the issue in lumbar and cervical spine.”
The doctors had said, “Ho gaya tumhara kaam”, this did not go well with Col. Lamba, who was trained by his father, in his school going days and had taught him never to give up, come what may.
He, to this day remembers the motivational words of his father, ” Hit First, Hit Hard and the Victory will be yours”, which he says, Keeps ringing in his ears, even today.
Col. Lamba, says, wanted to test the limits of his physical ability after the diagnosis of bulging discs in 2021. He decided to prove his doctors wrong and went on to participate in Ironman Goa, in 2022, Ironman Triathlon (Langkavi), Malaysia, in October, 2023, Championship of Ironman, Triathlon, Cairns, Queensland, Australia, June 2023, and now marking a new milestone-Marathon Des Sables, a 252 Km journey on foot over 6-days in the dreadful terrain in South Moroccan Sahara.
The terrain was difficult to get past with stony plains, across endless sand dunes, rocky jebels and blistering salt plains and the world’s most inhospitable competitive environment, where the temperature soars over 52 degrees celsius.
In Col. Jangvir Lamba’s words “The Marathon Des Sables was not just a race, it was a test of endurance- a culmination of years of training and dedication.”
As he traversed the treacherous terrain, carrying his essential survival load (approx. 15 Kgs) and drawing upon his experience as a triathlete, Col. Lamba embodied the spirit of perseverance that defines the Ironman ethos.
With each stride, he defied the odds, armed with his experience as a bodybuilder proving that true strength lies not just in physical prowess, but also in the resilience of human spirit.
His journey from Ironman to Sahara, serves as an inspiration to athletes and adventurers alike, reminding every individual that no challenge is insurmountable, if one is dedicated and determined.
Col. Jangvir Lamba stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration, a testament to the power of the human will to conquer even the most formidable obstacles.
A humble human being as he is, Col. Jangvir Lamba, never forgets to thank his Senior, Major Manoj Verma, who was his companion at Des Sables and fondly remembered his advice and the thoughts they shared with each other, during the event.
Col. Lamba also thanked his employer, the Indian Army, which he says, has stood by him in all his endeavours. Last but not the least, Col. Lamba never forgets to thank his family – his parents, Wife, Children, brothers, sisters and friends, without whose support his journey in the field of endurance, wouldn’t have been complete. We the Indians feel it a great pride to have such persons serving our armed forces.
