Two-wheeler technician Meenakshi Sundaram (34), a resident of Madurai, was a nervous man when he flew to Japan in September to represent India at the Yamaha 6 World Technician Grand Prix 2014.

However, he returned home with the coveted world title that he won on October 1 after beating 19 other contestants from 18 countries.

On Wednesday, Sundaram was felicitated by Yamaha in the city for his achievement. Clad in a bright red jumpsuit, the technician was overjoyed to receive the winner’s trophy from Masaki Asano, managing Director of Yamaha Motors, India, to thunderous applause.

Addressing the audience, Sundaram recalled the morning of May 5, 1998, when he joined a Yamaha service station in Arapalayam after completing class X. “My love for Yamaha’s RX 100 model drove me to join the team of mechanics. Now, I have come a long way and cannot believe I have been crowned top technician in the world by Yamaha,” he said.

In 2012, after clearing a written test, Sundaram got a shot at winning the National Technician Grand Prix India, but could manage only the 11 place. “I gave it another shot in 2013 and was one of the two winners who went on to represent India at the grand prix in Japan,” Sundaram added.

The biennial event in Japan, whose winners this year were from 18 countries, including New Zealand, Germany and Vietnam, was dominated by the Indian technician, who worked with a Yamaha R15 to showcase his talent. He excelled in five categories — trouble shooting, electrical wiring, wheel alignment, periodic maintenance and a written test — and was adjudged the overall winner in the commuter model class.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Staff Reporter / Chennai – October 09th, 2014