The Free Press Journal

Sarita’s journey: From running barefoot to winning gold

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Sarita Gaekwad, daughter of a farm labourer who was part of the women’s 4X400 relay team which won a gold at Asiad, once used to run barefoot. Gaekwad hails from a remote village in the tribal-dominated Dang district of Gujarat.

As she is a former student of Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, its Vice Chancellor Shivendra Gupta recalled that there was a time when she ran barefoot, not affording specialise­d shoes. “She comes from a poor family. In the beginning, when she was a student, she used to take part in local competitio­ns without wearing shoes,” he said.

Gaekwad’s parents live at village Karadi-Amba. Her father Laxmanbhai works as a farm labourer.

Her journey as a profession­al athlete started when she took part in a 400 meters’ trial race organised by the Sports Authority of Gujarat (SAG) to find new talent in Gandhinaga­r in 2015.

Ajimon KS, her coach, said she caught his attention when she finished the run in a little over one minute.

“She finished the 400-meter run in just 1 minute and 1 second. As she was from Dang, a tribal area, she could not even speak Hindi. I took help of a Gujarati coach and convinced her to join the Nadiad academy,” said Ajimon.

But initially Sarita was hesitant about devoting herself to the sports, he said. “She could not complete her graduation, but she was physically very fit. We trained her at the academy for one and a half years.

“During that period, she took part in some nationalle­vel games, and then she was selected for the national team,” he said.

Ahead of the race on Thursday, Sarita called him on his mobile phone to get some last-minute tips and motivation, he said. At her village, people burst fire crackers upon learning about the gold medal of women’s relay team.

Her father Laxmanbhai said he was immensely proud. “I do not have words to express my joy. She made this village and the entire country proud.

“She liked running since she was a child. Now the whole country knows my daughter,” he said.

I do not have words to express my joy. She made this village and the entire country proud. She liked running since she was a child. Now the whole country knows my daughter —Sarita’s father

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Sarita

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