Kolkata : Sports, a field where anyone with talent can shine, but sometimes, you need more than that talent. There’ll be ups and downs throughout, but how you can rise from a certain downfall defines you as an athlete, the way to rise defines your path of success, that ‘rise’ is actually what you call ‘Comeback’, more than talent, you need a strong comeback. Such are the stories of some of our Indian athletes who shared there comeback stories at Trailblazers conclave 3.0 by Revsportz.
Take the example of Paralympic Shooter Mona Agarwal, who’s shining strong even sitting on wheelchair.In childhood, she tried everything starting from Powerlifting to para-Volley Ball, but was about to succumb under family pressure.
She narrates, “I come from a basic family where dreaming big was not allowed,” she said. “I started my sporting career in 2016. I was looking for a sport where I can perform. Started with athletics then powerlifting and then para-volleyball. Nothing worked. Then, due to family pressure, I had to marry. After the birth of my second child, my real comeback story started. I started shooting in December 2021. Now I’m sitting here as a Paralympic medallist.”
After the birth of her second child, Mona’s husband met with an accident. The family struggled to make ends meet. But Mona was determined to continue with her sport. At the Paralympics, she couldn’t afford to fail. “Life changed after I won the medal.”
Indian iconic Boxer and CWG (2022) Gold medal winner Nikhat Zareen too has strong comeback story.
She narrates, “I always faced ups and downs. I always came back and won medals for my country. I was expecting a medal in Paris. That was the ultimate dream. But sometimes it’s not just hard work. Luck should be in your favour as well. Because of my seeding, I got a draw where I faced the world number one in the quarterfinal. I lost, but I will come back from this. But the Paris Olympics has taught me not to expect anything from anyone.”
Chess Olympiad gold medallist Tania Sachdev spoke about the human resilience and comeback after IBM’s Deep Blue’s triumph over the legendary Garry Kasparov in 1997. “These days, instead of fighting against the AI, humans use strong computer engines to prepare,” she said.
Former archer and current IOA executive committee member Dola Banerjee said: “An athlete’s life is about comebacks. Being mentally strong is the key.”
Anju Bobby George, who made history by becoming the first Indian athlete ever to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships, came to know that she had just one kidney just months before the 2003 event in Paris, where she jumped 6.70 metres. Despite being asked by doctor to go back home, she went to the jumping track and created history.
“I went to a doctor in Germany and I was told to go back home. I was back on the track instead and won the medal”, she said.
Suhas Yathiraj, living legend, an IAS and a silver medallist in para-badminton at the Tokyo Paralympics, made giant comeback after losing qualifying round in Tokyo, but roared back with Gold and Silver at Peru, and marchef on to win Silver in Tokyo Olympics. He said: “I lost a qualifying tournament before the Tokyo Games and had to win gold medals in Brazil and Peru, the last two qualifying events, to qualify for the Paralympics. I won gold in Brazil and Peru and went on to win a silver in Tokyo. From a 39th ranked player, I became the World No. 1.”
