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A professional athlete yearns for the perfect training, nutrition and conditions to achieve success. These key ingredients added with hard work and dedication, guarantee sporting success. But what if the ingredients are erased from the picture? There is no scope for training or nutrition and the conditions are far from perfect. Is it possible to achieve any kind of success then?
Defying all odds
Two girls from Balya Vidya Mandir, a school started by the NGO Annapurna Charitable Trust, are living proofs that success is solely based on desire and passion. Hemalata and Chandrama do not have a P.T. instructor to coach or a proper ground to train. Yet, the two girls defied all odds as they comprehensively beat runners from all over Bangalore at the GAIL- The Fastest Indian event, held in the city on 11th November 2014.
In the absence of a proper coach, the two girls rely on former students and their history teacher Chandrakalla to take their athletics training. Sometimes, when the ground is not available, the students find place at an empty lot or an empty street and practice over there. “I encourage my students to participate in competitions as much as possible. I very proud of all they have achieved. Their fighting spirit is immense,” Chandrakalla said.
Clean sweep at The Fastest Indian – Bangalore leg
In the girls 100m race Chandrama finished first while Hemalata finished second. In the 200m and the 400m races, Hemalata took the top spot in the podium while Chandrama finished second. The two girls achieved a clean sweep at the Fastest Indian event.
Hemalata has previously participated in long jump and high jump events. She even finished third at the district level. Chandrama has taken part in inter-school running events. But the highlight in their athletics adventures came last week when they were crowned as the fastest runners of Bangalore.
Hemalata and Chandrama are ideal examples of athletes pushing beyond the limits to achieve success. Most children in Bangalore have access to qualified coaches, equipment and facilities. Yet these two athletes have managed to beat them. They have proved that it takes more than just training to succeed. Their story is an inspiration to children all over the world.
