Indian athlete wins gold medal in Asian Games, let’s share her story

Our Indian woman athlete Swapna Barman scripts history as she won India’s first-ever Asiad women’s heptathlon gold medal at the ongoing Asian Games 2018 at Jakarta, Indonesia. It is indeed a fantastic day to remember, relish and rejoice the achievement for Swapna who clinched the gold despite suffering a severe jaw injury. 

The gold medal was India’s second of the day and the 11th gold medal overall at the ongoing event, levelling the country’s gold medal count in the 2014 edition. Swapna translated her positivity into a fruitful result as she threw her personal best in the javelin at the seven-event competition.

Credits: Sportskeeda

Despite the injury, Swapna Barman didn’t give up. She continued to compete in the heptathlon event with a massive toothache. During one of the events, unfortunately, she landed chin on her knee causing too much discomfort.

Coming into the last of the seven-event that happens over two days, Swapna Barman was determined to show what she is capable of doing. Much to her determination, she topped the standings in the 800m run.

In her final event, the 21-year-old planned and executed her run to perfection as she bagged a personal best record with a staggering 6026 points. Eventually, she became the first Indian woman to win an Asian Games heptathlon gold medal.

With extreme pain on Tuesday, she was seen competing in the shot put. After that, she took her energy and determination to another level in intensity by competing even the following day, topping the javelin event too on Wednesday morning, securing a personal best of 50.63m.

The heptathlon comprises of seven events including 100m race, high jump, shot put, 200m race, long jump, javelin throw and 800m race.

Hailing from Chennai, Chaithanya G is the Managing Director of TheYouth. He has dedicated his whole life to reading and writing.