Pune: Seventeen-year-old Sarthak Shrikant Chavan has created history by becoming the youngest national champion in the "Pro Stock 301-400cc" open category of the "Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2024." With this achievement, he has secured 17 race victories in the 150cc to 400cc engine categories, earning a reputation as one of India’s most promising young racers.

Hailing from Sadashiv Peth, Pune, Sarthak was exposed to the world of motorcycle racing from an early age, with his father, Shrikant Chavan, being an accomplished racer himself. Inspired by his father’s legacy, Sarthak began practicing at their family-owned workshop, "R.S. Motors," in Katraj.

Sarthak’s journey started at the age of six when he secured third place in the under-8 category of the "Island Race" competition in Mumbai in 2012. His consistent performances earned him victories in national-level dirt track and road race competitions. After completing his schooling at Rosary High School, he pursued his passion while studying Mechanical Engineering at Bhivrabai Sawant College of Engineering and Research.

His talent was soon recognized by MRF and TVS, who included him in their racing teams. Between 2022 and 2024, Sarthak represented India in international competitions held in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Chennai, further cementing his position as a rising star. His consistent performance has also attracted sponsorship offers from international companies.

In 2015, Sarthak underwent specialized training at the "Millsaps Training Facility" in Georgia, USA, and later achieved third place in the 2017 "Motocross Race" held in Dubai. His breakthrough moment came in 2019 when he ranked seventh in the "Asia Motocross Championship" in the Philippines, becoming the first Indian to finish in the top 10 of the competition.

The young racer credits his family for his success and aims to win prestigious international championships like the "Asia Road Racing Championship" and "MotoGP-3" in the future.