MYSORE: Sushmita Pawar has made Mysore city proud by being part of the gold winning Indian women’s kabaddi team in the Asian Games held at Incheon, South Korea.
There is an interesting story behind how the now 31-year-old Sushmita, who was successful in athletics in her school days, started playing Kabaddi. When she was studying PU at People’s Park Government Women’s College in Mysore, the college’s Kabaddi team which was all set to take part in a tournament found short of a player. It was then the College’s Kabaddi players who were impressed by the athletic skills of Sushmita, turned towards her as a stop gap arrangement.
“The teammates and physical director convinced me saying that the game is very simple and I have to just touch the rival team player and come back. It was in 2003 and before that I had never played Kabaddi in my life,” said Sushmita.
Since then, Sushmita started practicing Kabaddi every day along with athletics. When she did not get enough support in athletics, she chose to concentrate on Kabaddi. Her efforts did not go in vain as she was selected for Karnataka Police on sports quota in 2005.
Currently, she is posted at Bettadapura police station in Periyapatna taluk.
She captained the Karnataka Juniors Kabaddi team and was member of the South Zonal and Karnataka Seniors teams. She was selected to the national team in 2014.
A jubilant Sushmita credited her success to Sports Authority of India (SAI) coach Sridhar, parents, in-laws and husband for their support.
“Without support from all of them, it would have been impossible to reach this level,” she said.
Daughter of Prakash Pawar, who runs a flour mill and Manjula Bai, a homemaker, Sushmita had studied at St Anne’s School in N R Mohalla.
Her husband Venkatesh runs a photo studio and they have a three-year-old daughter.
Bettadapura Sub-Inspector Anil Kumar said Sushmita has also brought laurels to the police department.