Gomathi Marimuthu, who has made India proud by winning the first ever gold medal in 800 meters race at the Asian Athletics Championship in Qatar has seen many ups and downs in her life.
The 30-year-old Gomathi, a native of Tamil Nadu, took 02.70 minutes to complete the 800m race in Asian Athletics Championship.
She also said that she is aiming to win at the World Athletics Championships and her performance has been good so far.
She went on to say that her father has played a big role in her achievements and he used to eat food meant for cattle in order to support her training. She got emotional and teared up while recounting these events.
Her father died a few years ago, and Gomahti is currently working as a tax assistant in the Income Tax Department.
The Journey
Her village did not have electricity and there was no bus facility nearby. Her father would wake her up at 4 o’clock in the morning, so that she didn’t miss the bus for training. After training, she would come back home and do the household chores. As her parents were ill, she also took them to the hospital for regular check-ups. Moreover, she believes that, if her parents would have been alive then she would have considered them as God.
She further says that she did not get any help from the central government, yet she had the confidence to win the gold medal. For that she had to practice a lot, and do her preparations alone. She was ready with her own money whenever it was required. However, the Indian team coach helped her through video training during workout schedule.
Recalling her tough journey to Asian Athletics Championship, Gomathi said, “If Tamil Nadu government helps me further, then I will work hard and try to win the Olympic medal for my country.”
She had to fight for basic necessities at every step in her life. She says, “If the government would have helped me, it would have been great, But still, I anticipate help from Government of India and Tamil Nadu government.”
As per reports, Government of India and Tamil Nadu government, both have extended their support to Gomathi.