There have always been inspiring stories of dedication, hard work, and success that emerge from unconventional places in Indian sports. One such story is that of Sanju Devi, who is one of the most powerful raiders of the Indian women's national kabaddi team. She belongs to a humble background from Chhattisgarh and had to overcome many difficulties before reaching such heights of fame.
Who Is Sanju Devi And Where Is She From?
Sanju Devi was born on December 19, 2002, in Kerakachhar village situated in the Pali block of Korba district, Chhattisgarh state. Coming from a rural area, which has not been a place to produce kabaddi players of such calibre in the past, she took up the game of kabaddi while she was in Class 5 in her government-run school in her village with help from her early coach, Anuj Pratap Singh. In order to follow her dream, she had to travel long distances each day and made it into the Women’s Residential Kabaddi Academy in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, coached by Dil Kumar Rathod.
Sanju Devi’s Journey In National-Level Kabaddi
Sanju is mainly used as a star raider, which is a very demanding role that demands great speed, agility, and reflexes.
Having impressed everyone with her skilful raiding in district and regional tournaments, she came to the notice of the selectors at the state level.
She was trained at the sports academy in Bilaspur, where she had the chance to be trained physically and have proper dietary support.
Her sharp touch points and her escape tactics in crucial national matches brought her invites for national selection camps.
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When Did Sanju Devi Win Gold Medals For India?
Sanju Devi had her big international breakthrough in Tehran, Iran, where she played an important role as a raider in helping India win the gold medal.
In the World Cup held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sanju helped India to win a gold medal by becoming the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for her brilliant raiding in the tournament.
Sanju Devi continued her successful streak by participating in the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, where she provided vital multi-point raids to help India win the gold medal by defeating Iran in a close 37-34 final.
What Is Sanju Devi’s Contribution To Indian Women’s Kabaddi?
The success story of Sanju Devi is a huge turning point in the arena of women’s sport in central India. With her success in breaking the state record and receiving international recognition, Sanju has made Chhattisgarh an important part of India’s kabaddi map.
She has received an award of ₹50 lakh from the Government of Chhattisgarh to aid her in training and growth. Most importantly, her success acts as a source of motivation for countless rural Indian girls who see that sports provide an avenue for respect and fame.
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Conclusion
The story of Sanju Devi going from Kerakachhar to an Asian Games gold medal reflects the transformative force of commitment and grassroots-level encouragement. As she continues to be the backbone of India's raiding department, her story serves as a source of inspiration.
Image credits: Instagram
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