Triumph Over Adversity
In the humble town of Andhra Pradesh, India, Karnam Malleswari, the golden girl, emerged from a modest family of five siblings. Her father served as a constable at Indian Railways, and her mother diligently tended to the household. Malleshwari’s journey to greatness began when her sister entered into weightlifting, Karnam got to tag along with her sister to the training center to witness the world of strength training.
Initially, Karnam found joy in observing the training sessions, but destiny had a different plan. Intrigued by the sport, she approached the coach, seeking her own training. However, what happened at that moment changed her life. The coach assessing the seemingly frail 12-year-old girl said that she was not cut out to be a weightlifter, instead she was better suited to assist her mother with the household. That hurt Malleswari deeply and ignited her grit to prove the coach wrong. She knew she didn’t need others’ opinions to understand what she was made of. She made her way into an abandoned gym nearby and started practicing barefoot with whatever minimal equipment (remotely resembling real equipment) she could find at her disposal.
Her sister’s ascent to the National level became a pivotal moment for Malleshwari. During the selection trials for the 1990 Asian Games, Karnam Malleshwri observed participants from Russia, eager to learn their techniques. The Indian team coach, Genedy Rebecon, recognized her unwavering dedication and, despite her lacking official qualification, took her under his wing.
A year of rigorous training and unwavering determination led Malleshwari to break National records and secure gold medals. She immediately started training for international championships, particularly the World Weightlifting Championships in China in 1995. Malleshwari made up her mind to win gold as she yearned to honor the Indian National Anthem. Like the saying goes – where there’s a will, Karnam not only won three Gold but also created a World record. Everyone including her coach was certain that placing first was out of her league, alas, the audio recording of the National Anthem was not submitted to the committee to be played during the award ceremony. Nonetheless, Civilian Padma Shri awardee Dr. Karnam Malleswari sang the Indian National Anthem on the stage holding her medal and the National Flag high at the ceremony.
Her remarkable achievements didn’t end there. Karnam Malleswari etched her name in history as the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal in 2000. Awards like the Arjuna Award and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna adorned her illustrious career. Her passion and diligent dedication flung her to great heights despite life’s obstacles.
Today, Karnam Malleswari, remains indebted to the sport that shaped her life. Committed to giving back, she works tirelessly to provide the proper infrastructure and training for budding athletes. Her story stands as a testament to the transformative power of sheer willpower and determination, inspiring generations to come. Karnam Malleswari’s legacy extends beyond medals and records, embodying the spirit of triumph over adversity and the unwavering pursuit of excellence.