When dreams to visit cities made an Olympian

“It was rare to visit the city and I was in the Government tribal boarding school. I chose to participate in each and every running event at my boarding school as by qualifying in the races was the only way to go see a city,” Kavita said on the sidelines of the Chennai Marathon. It was in 1998 when Kavita won a medal in the l National School Games which proved to be a turning point. 

“My mother motivated and helped me a lot in shaping my career; it was her decision to send me to Nashik to have proper practice after the school games. If she hadn’t taken that decision and convinced my father, I would not be who I am today,” the 31-year-old athlete added. However, financial problems escalated and Kavita was forced to fend for herself. 

“I started training under my coach Vijendra Singh and unfortunately, due to funds constraints I couldn’t stay in Nashik. So I started participating in small cash-prize marathons to meet my needs. I started practising rigorously and after viewing my progress in athletics, my coach gave me shelter in October 2002 and in 2004 I joined Indian Railways and there was no looking back,” Kavita added.

Kavita made gradual strides in running and under the tutelage of Russian coach Nikole Sernsare, Kavita qualified for the Olympics. “From 2004 the Athletics Federation of India selected me regularly for all national camps to train under under top Indian coaches. I was lucky to have trained under Nikole Sernsare too and it was under his guidance that I won medals at the Commonwealth and Asian Games. Before the 2012 London Olympics, I was also sent to Kenya for training and I made use of all opportunities that came my way to qualify. I qualified for the full marathon at Rio Olympics and it was a dream come true then,” she added. 

Kavita, who is sponsored by Skechers, has set her sights on the upcoming London World Championship and LA Marathon. The Arjuna awardee also added that a proper talent hunt is the way to unearth the gems hidden in India’s remote villages. “Everyone knows that maximum population live in villages where people struggle for daily needs. There is a lot of talent hidden and proper training and talent hunt eludes us. If that is sorted out, we can achieve greater success in world athletics,” Kavita added.  

Kavita’s advice to budding athletes: “In your early days no one will come to support until and unless you prove yourself. The keys to success are continuity and discipline.”