The end of every sports competition I take part in is usually time for retrospection and self-reflection of all the efforts, sacrifices, and time it took to get where I am.
I am extremely grateful for all the support and encouragement from my parents, grandparents, my little sister, and coaches.
Sport has been an integral part of my life from Grade 1. My athletics coach (who continued to coach me for 12 years of schooling, and still occasionally does) joined my school around the time when I started Grade 1. I was put into the athletic group since I ran considerably fast (or rather I was the only one who actually ran), from then on we had regular practice at school. I was taught various exercises, drills, and about running in general.
I faintly remember crying the entire day after my 2nd Grade Sports Day because I didn't win any race :/
In third grade, I was put into Badminton Coaching. I joined an academy named White Peacock. The coaching was initially conducted at Karnataka Badminton Association, (to give more context, this is the HQ of badminton in Bangalore. The famous Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy is on the same premises. Badminton stars such as Lakshya Sen have trained here, and I have seen him play ✌). Since this was outside school hours, someone had to ferry me up and down. My grandparents have played a crucial role in enabling me to pursue sports alongside academics. Badminton coaching continued till 10th grade, at various locations, under various coaches. Right from ensuring I eat the right food, to getting my clothes ready, to taking me and getting me back, I can’t thank them enough 🙏
Weekday coaching transitioned to weekend coaching a few years later. And it was a weekend affair, not something I was very fond of, but nonetheless, I went and played, won sometimes, lost sometimes. This is perhaps the first place, it hit me, what losing felt like. It was very difficult to accept, took a very long time for me to deal with it.
I was the fastest runner in my school class, out of around 70 girls, my main events were the 100m, 200m, and 4*100m relays. I loved sports days, I miss those days.
In school, I continued playing a variety of sports like Kho-Kho, Throwball, and Volleyball. Volleyball turned out to be my next favorite after Athletics and Badminton. I learned some basics of the game, the movements and shots.
In 8th grade, I had to undergo surgery, my left knee was in serious condition. The cartilage that supports the knee cap had torn. It caused a lot of pain and there was intense swelling. The only option was to get my knee operated on and rest for a year after the surgery, I was traumatized, scared, and worried that I probably couldn’t get back to sport. With a lot of support from everyone at home, I was able to get back. I missed my 9th grade sports day, but yes, there was really no other option at that point :(
After a year of recovery, from running only the sprint, I transitioned into running long distances as well, this includes the 5km, 10km, and even the half-marathon! My dad primarily inspired me, he started by running 10km a few years back, and I followed by doing the same. This has become a weekend ritual for him, from 10km, he ran 15km, to 21km (half-marathon) to 42km (full marathon), to 50km (Malnad Ultra). If this is not consistency and perseverance, then I don’t know what is 🙏
In 11th and 12th grade, that’s when we are supposed to study extra hard and appear for exams 10 lakh other aspiring engineers are writing, phew! I probably thought this was a dead-end for any kind of sports, but I was wrong. In 11th grade, I placed 1st in the 200m sprint at the CBSE clusters event (A state-level meet for CBSE schools), and represented Karnataka at the CBSE nationals held at Chattisgarh! My first ever nationals :))
I was the Sports Captain for Girls in 12th Grade, it was fun being a part of the Student council.
Fast forward to 2 years later, I joined RV College Of Engineering, Bangalore. I was a little apprehensive about how I will continue sports in college :?
As soon as I joined college, I was recruited into the badminton team, I played my very first tournament and won! This definitely boosted my confidence :)
From then on, I continued playing a variety of sports and represented the college in many tournaments. I totally loved every bit of it 🏃♀️
We won sometimes, lost sometimes, but made some amazing memories.
Recently the 23rd inter-collegiate (state level) meet concluded. We won a bronze 🥉 in the 4*100 relay, and I placed 5th in 100m (5/56 competitors)
I am glad I was given the opportunity to get into sports, there has never been any looking back. A large part of my school and college memories are related to sporting activities, and I truly cherish every moment!