Mahatma Gandhi once said India’s strength lies in its rural areas. The saying can be applied to almost every walk of life, but it is most applicable to sport in the country. With over 70% of the country’s population located in rural areas, it’s only natural for talent to seep through from there.
Sure, the lack of infrastructure and financial resources makes it very difficult for athletes from these areas to make it amongst the crème de la crème. That being said, there are several sportspersons who have defied the odds to make it to the top.
Umesh Yadav (Cricket)
Umesh Yadav did not have enough money to buy shoes for his Vidarbha trials, while staying in his village.
Deepika Kumari (Archery)
The former world number one, Kumari hails from the Ratucheti village in Jharkhand. The 21-year old has won three consecutive silver medals at the World Championships and also secured two gold medals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Her father was an auto rickshaw driver, she used to practice archery with bamboo bows and arrows. She is now training at the Tata Archery Academy in Jamshedpur for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Vijay Kumar (Shooting)
India’s Olympic silver medallist in 2012, Kumar belongs to a small village known as Hasrour, which only houses 60 families.
The 29-year old serves as a Subedar Major in the Indian Army and is supported by the Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ).
M C Mary Kom (Boxing)
The name needs no introduction, Marykom is one of the finest athletes the country has ever produced. Her achievement list is endless, a six-time World champion, four time Asian champion, Asian Games gold medallist and to top it all of a Olympic bronze medallist.
A biopic was recently made on her highlighting her popularity in the public sphere. But, this world beater originated from Kangathei village in Manipur.
Her story is not only inspirational, but is testament to the talent present in India’s rural areas.
Sushil Kumar (Wrestling)
Another one of India’s Olympic heroes, Kumar became the first Indian to win back to back individual Olympic medals. He bettered his bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, by winning a silver at the 2012 London Games.
Kumar belongs to the Baprola village in Najafgarh, Delhi, purely an akhada wrestler, he was picked up by coach Satpal Singh and the rest is now history. Apart from the Olympics medal, Kumar has won five Commonwealth Championships, one World Championship, one Asian Championship and two Commonwealth Games.
The 31-year old has to be the finest wrestler this country has ever produced. From Najafgarh to London, let’s hope Kumar can go one better and win the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics
