Mysuru: MR Dhanusha, the 19-year-old daughter of an auto driver from KR Nagar has created history by winning a gold medal in the heptathlon event in the 79th All India Inter-University Athletics Meet which was organized by Mangalore University at Swaraj Maidan, Moodbidri. A student of BBA I year at Basudev Somani College in Mysuru, she is now the first athlete to win a gold medal for the University of Mysuru in the heptathlon event.
To come out with her best performance in the All India inter-university competition, Dhanusha had the support and encouragement from her athletic coach, Prabhakar, in the University of Mysore and her Physical Education Director in Basudev Somani College, Sadashiva Bhatt.
According to them, she used to practice for at least six hours in a day and the hard work which she has put in for the past few months has definitely yielded her impressive results as she came out with an impressive performance in the heptathlon event by securing an overall of 4785 points which won her the gold medal.
Speaking to NewsKarnataka, Dhanusha said,” Previously I was in Bengaluru and had won a medal for the University of Mysore but for the past two years I have been living in Mysuru and have enrolled myself in Basudev Somani College. Prior to this event, I had secured a silver medal in the national junior athletic championship which was held in Ranchi. I was able to achieve that due to the encouragement I received from my coaches, SAK athletic coach Punith, University of Mysore athletic coach Prabhakar and Physical Education Director Sadashiva Bhatt sir. But now by securing a gold medal, I have gotten an opportunity to take p[art in the World university athletic competition. My elder sister was also an athlete and had secured a couple of medals in the nationals during her time and after seeing her win I got motivated to pursue athletics and started practising when I was in the eighth standard. In the days to come, with proper support and encouragement and also the required training I would like to represent my country and bring more laurels for it”.
When spoken to P Krishnaiah, the Director (in charge) of the Department of Physical Education at the University Of Mysore, he said,” It is really an outstanding achievement for Dhanusha as with this she has added to a long list of laurels she has brought to the University”.
Sadashiva Bhatt, the Physical Director at the Basudev Somani College said,” She is a very dedicated, disciplined and mature person and hence after seeing her performance I decided to bring her to our college by providing her with a free seat. Now by winning a gold medal in an all India meet she has proven her worth as a valuable investment. We are very proud of her achievement and as a token of appreciation I have given her Rs 10,000 from my own pocket.”
