Mangalore: Athlete Sahana Kumari from Ullal Qualifies for London Olympics
Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Jun 27: It is not uncommon to come across sportspersons hailing from rural or financially backward families going on to become international athletes of repute. When it comes to such sportswomen though, not many pursue their goals after settling down in marriage.
Sahana Kumari of Ullal is an exception, a sportswoman par excellence who has proved her worth by qualifying for the July London Olympics.
Sahana with her Ukraine coach Nikhil Evgeny
Sahana at the qualifying round for London Olympics
Sahana Kumari has been selected in the high jump event, where, in the qualifying round, she scaled a new height of 1.92 metres.
Born and brought up in Ullal, she completed her early education from Anandashram School, Ullal and later joined Sri Gokarnanatheshwara College, which proved to be the right choice to pursue her sporting dreams. Sri Gokarnanatha College has been the home for many young, dynamic and successful athletes. Her brother and her elder sister are also successful sportspersons. Her sister, like Sahana, is a high jump athlete and her brother is a volleyball player.
Sahana’s mother made it a habit to wake both her daughters early morning at 4.30 and send the two for practice. This helped her a lot to pursue and succeed in the field of sports. She has been taking part in a number of sports events, at the international level as well, and has won a several medals, honours and recognition. She is now working for Central Railways, a job she bagged under the sports quota.
She is now married and settled in Bangalore. Her husband, Nagaraj, is also an athlete. They have a daughter, Pavana (4).
Sahana got into sports nearly 18 years ago. She credits her sucess to her parents, husband, coaches and family members who have always wholeheartedly supported and encouraged her.
Speaking to daijiworld, her coach, Purushottam, physical director at Sri Gokarnanatha College, says that her enthusiasm and her interest towards sports has made her successful.
"There are a lot of famous athletes but everyone loses interest in the field after marriage. Sportspersons, especially the ones who are married and with children, are not usually interested in contesting. Sahana Kumari indeed deserves praise for pursuing her dreams despite being a mother," he says, wishing Sahana all success in the upcoming Olympics.
There are several others from the college who have brought laurels to the country in sports, namely Indian women's kabaddi captain Mamatha Poojary, Deepa Kulal, Amitha Poojary and others.
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