Meerut’s Rupal sets sights on winning more medals

Sprinter Rupal Chaudhary’s never say die attitude is the hallmark of her sporting character. “That was a tough decision to make and when I protested against my father, I wanted to make a point for myself, and when I stepped on the track the first time, I told myself to do something amazing, otherwise everybody would criticise my decision forever,” said Rupal who is now recovering from a freak injury, which she sustained a few weeks ago while training in Meerut. Being the first-timer, I was a bit nervous but I didn’t see other athletes of the world and I just ran for a podium finish in relay,” said Rupal who wants to emulate ace javelin thrower and Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra and earn a reputation like Anju Bobby George, bronze medalist at the 2003 World Championships. My first target is to qualify for the Senior World Athletics in August at Budapest and before that the Asian Junior Athletics in June in South Korea,” she said, adding, “These two events would help me plan my mission for the Asian Games in September-October this year, if not postponed again.” At Colombia, more than the two medals, the prowess of the teenager from Meerut was put to the test as Rupal ran seven races over six days on her international debut. “Age is with me and I still have one more chance to compete in the Worlds U-20 in 2024, and this time I would like to change the colour of my medals,” said Rupal, the fourth Indian to win a medal at the World U-20 after Neeraj Chopra, Hima Das and Shaili Singh.