She Didn’t Have Shoes To Wear, But It Didn’t Stop Her From Winning 3000 Mt Race Barefoot!

“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane take off against the wind, not with it” ~Henry Ford

In India, some of us are privileged enough to own sports gear that amplify our sporting prowess, but for every person who can afford such equipment, there are many others who cannot. Does this limitation make them any less talented? Absolutely not! Ultimately, it’s the passion, courage, and hard work, that truly defines a winner, and our country is full of such talented individuals who thrive in the face of adversity. Their passion and sweat is what fuels their ambition and their zeal to win.

In India, a career in sports sounds unrealistic! Time and again, heroes have risen, despite their despicable conditions. Because sometimes in life, in order to be successful, adversity is all you need to power your ambition.

Here are a few ordinary people who found the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles, to rise and shine.

1. Milkha Singh – ‘The Flying Sikh’ lost his relatives during the partition and still went on to win accolades for our country.

2. Mary Kom – The only woman boxer to have won a medal in each one of the six world championships, battled poverty, unsupportive parents, and took care of her sick children, to go ahead and win for her country.

3. Saina Nehwal – The first Indian to win a medal in Badminton at the Olympics was thought to be a mediocre talent by her old coaches and was dismissed by all of them.

“As a kid, she endured pain and sacrificed all pleasures for the game. She would work hours together for perfection. She would never give up,” said Saina’s father. Saina’s rise is a result of 12 years of hard work that has helped her reach the pinnacle.

Loss, discouragement, and family pressure; nothing stopped these champions! Adversity causes some men to break, and others to break records.

One such champion is Sayali Mhaisdhune. She had the two most important things needed to become a terrific athlete. A will that can never be defeated, and the ability to run like the wind.

On a scorching synthetic track that would burn the soles of your feet, Sayali ran and WON the district level 3000 meters race without any shoes on! That’s right, barefoot!

Sayali couldn’t afford a pair of running shoes. Her father is a cobbler and the most he can provide her daughter with is encouragement, and support to follow her dreams. But that didn’t stop her! And we wonder if anything ever will.

There are millions of such talented athletes and sportspersons in our country, who can have the world at their feet if given a chance! All they need is a little support and help, and that’s where Dabur decided to step in.

Dabur is taking an initiative to support deserving athletes so that they can focus on their training and not worry about anything else.

To nominate aspiring athletes for this initiative:

“Champions are not the ones who always win races – champions are the ones who get out there and try. And even harder the next time. ‘Champion’ is a state of mind. They are devoted. They compete to best themselves as much if not more than they compete to best others.” – Simon Sinek

To champions, and to their bright future ahead. Cheers!

This story is brought to you in association with Dabur Glucose-D