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Making way for Sindhuja
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An athlete set to make her mark
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THE GOLD RUSH A. Sindhuja PHOTO: K.ANANTHAN
A. Sindhuja used to find it extremely hard to throw the iron ball as a nine-year-old. There were times when she was frustrated about the whole idea, but not her parents and coaches.
They constantly cajoled her and that worked wonders. Now at 14, thanks to her upper body strength, Sindhuja clears 10 metres.
The class-nine student of Sri Ramakrishna MHSS, Vattamalaipalayam, recently bagged the shotput gold with a distance of 9.41m in the 36th All India rural sports tournament (Group 3) at Bhiwani, Haryana.
"I got the gold, but I wasn't really convinced with my performance because I have been doing 10 m and above regularly during practice sessions," says Sindhuja.
Blame the weather
What went wrong?
"The climatic conditions were not to her liking. It was pretty cold out there and getting warmed up was hell," S. Suresh, her Physical Training instructor in school.
Prior to the Haryana nationals, Sindhuja recorded her personal best of 10.50m at the Tamil Nadu junior State championship in Pudukottai. The meet served as a selection trial for the rural nationals.
Early days
"It all happened by chance. I spotted her during a physical training class in school. I was pleased with her build and raw power. She had all the qualities of a thrower. Realising that she would be a good bet, I started to train her," says Suresh.
Sindhuja, who sweats it for about three hours a day at the Nehru Stadium, got some early tips from the late Parvathi, a SAI coach at the stadium.
"She gave the much needed boost at the start. Now it is the turn of the district coach Nandakumar to sharpen her skills," says Suresh.
"He is a big source of inspiration to me. He knows what is right for me and advises accordingly," says Sindhuja, who is also good at the discus.
"My coach has even asked me to try the javelin. He says that I can certainly excel in all three. Now, I have also gained confidence. But, shotput will remain my pet event," she adds.
Sindhuja, a class topper, aims to throw the iron to a distance of 13 metres. Is it possible?
"Give me two years and I will prove that to you. By the year end I should easily manage 11.50m."
R.R
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