Tanda Road student wins Khedan Watan Punjab Dia 2023 in Shot Put

Cricket may be the go-to sport for millions of people in India, but several other games are making waves albeit in different ways. One such sport is Shot Put. The success of Indian Shot Put athletes at the international level has generated a different level of interest among youth. Many educational institutes have introduced Shot Put in their sports curriculum which exposes young athletes to nurture their talent and interest in the sport.

One such school is Apeejay School, Tanda Road. Their sports organisation works at the grassroots programmes providing exceptional guidance and training to young adults.

Meet Mayra Sharma, a student of class VII, who has recently been honoured with Khedan Watan Punjab Dia 2023, Zonal Athletics Championship; she secured second position and has been practising this sport since last one year. In addition to this, she also secured the 1st position in school game zonal championship and bagged a gold medal. In a candid interview, Mayra speaks about her mantra of achieving excellence in her chosen sport.

Tell us about yourself.

I love to take part in activities like dance and music. My favourite subjects are English and Math. Shot Put is my passion. I am confident that one day I will represent my country in this sport and make everyone proud of me.

What inspired you to get into sports?

I have a habit of reading newspapers. Whenever I read the sports section, I found immense inspiration in the remarkable achievements of athletes. It was at that moment that I decided to pursue a path in sports. My mother has been well-versed in sports– Taekwondo and was a silver medalist therein. That’s how I developed an innate interest in sports.

Describe your training regimen.

I am very dedicated to my training. I train for at least two hours daily. When I am at school, I practice during the Physical Education classes; I also train during any spare time I get. My coach at the school, Yadwinder Sir, helps me hone my skills. For more coaching, I go to DAV College, Jalandhar.

How important is it to remain dedicated and disciplined?

With dedication and utmost consistency, you can achieve what you aim for. Shot Put is not something that you can hit on sheer luck. You must work hard and learn the necessary techniques required to excel in the game.

What was your reaction when you won the championship?

I was extremely happy. My father wanted me to win this championship. It was for him whom I worked hard since I didn’t want to disappoint him. I owe my success to my father’s push and motivation. I intend to take up this sport professionally.

Challenges in your sports journey.

I’ve been practicing Shot Put for a while. Last year, I participated in the Zonal Shot Put Competition, but unfortunately, I didn’t win. That’s when I decided to put my heart and soul into it and work for a win. I started practicing regularly. Today, all that effort has paid off.

How do you manage your studies with sports?

I follow a simple schedule. I believe relaxation is crucial for athletes. After school, I take a break and spend some leisure time. After that, I go to practice. Once I am back, I study. This daily routine helps me maintain a balance between sports and academics.

Advice you would give to upcoming athletes.

Consistency is the key. If you want to achieve something, don’t give up. Just keep practicing every day and one day, you will achieve your goals.