Standing upright on a podium to receive the gold medal while the tricolour is being hoisted is what sprinter Anuradha Biswal from Orissa considers her most memorable moment. “The pride in being Indian is a feeling that can’t be beaten by anything else,” says Biswal, who still retains the national record in 100mt hurdles (13.38 seconds).
Working as an assistant manager (sport) with Nalco, Bhubaneswar, Biswal devotes seven-eight hours every day to practice. “For a sportsperson, being fit is the most important challenge apart from dedication to the sport you are mastering,” says Biswal, who is in her 30s.
After completing her postgraduation in political science and BA-LLB from Utkal University in Bhubaneswar, Biswal did an MBA from Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad. “Academics are equally important for a sportsperson and this was ingrained in me since childhood by my parents. I would particularly attribute my success to my mother,” says Biswal, who was regular to classes despite a punishing schedule on the track. She had to burn the midnight oil to shine academically. “Since I invested a lot of time in practice, I studied when the others were asleep. It was difficult because I couldn’t keep the lights on and had to study in the dining hall or corridors,” explains Biswal.
In 1992, when Biswal was a plus three student at Indira Gandhi Women’s College, Cuttack, she represented the country at the International Singapore Open Championship and clinched the silver and bronze medals for 100mts hurdles and 4x100m relay respectively. Earlier, in 1991 Biswal had participated in the International South Asian Championship in Sri Lanka but ended fourth. “It was only after this that people started recognising me. Even in the 1990s sportspersons never got as much adulation. But my teachers and particularly my principal encouraged me a lot,’’ says Biswal who considers sprint queen PT Usha as her role model.
Biswal is thankful to her friends who shared their notes with her when she was away participating in various contests. She recounts one incident that stood out during her college days — “I was tired after a warm-up session. So, I decided to take a nap before setting out to the exam hall. To my horror, I slept through the first hour of my law exam. I was horrified but gathered courage to request the teacher to allow me to write the exam. They did and I somehow completed the paper. To my surprise, I secured good marks,’’ she says.
The runner has so far won 84 gold medals, 52 silver medals and 40 bronze medals. “It has been possible because of my parents, in-laws and my husband Paramananda Routray, who also doubles up as my coach. Even my seven-year-old daughter Anshika encourages me to participate in various contests,’’ she says.
— kasturi@newindianexpress.com