18-year-old Pavana Nagaraj, daughter of women's national high jump record holder Sahana Kumari and 2010 national inter-state men's 100m champion B Nagaraj, won the Asian Under-20 gold medal with a personal best long jump of 6.32 metres. It was the inspiration behind Sahana Kumari that inspired Pavana Nagaraj to focus more on long jump after starting out as a high jumper.
The transition to long jump came with his training as a heptathlete. Sahan Kumari, who is a SAI coach, revealed that she wants her daughter to participate in the multi-event competition. “We want him to participate in multiple programs so that his overall development is taken care of.This is what is lacking in this generation. They are just focusing on one discipline,” she told SAI media.
“I told her that instead of limiting herself to one event, she should try heptathlon to find out her strengths. We want her to excel in many events and she needs to understand which events she is good at. As a parent or coach, we are not pressurizing him to adopt any particular discipline.We are only supporting her so that she can enjoy her journey,” said Sahana Kumari.
Pavana Nagaraj, who has received support through the Khelo India Scholarship Scheme since 2018, told SAI media that the SAI center in Bengaluru has played an integral role in her life. “This is my second home. I used to go to the SAI track in Bengaluru since my childhood, when my mother was training there. Joined the center in 2017.My roots are in SAI Bengaluru,” she said.
Pavana said that her mother has been the backbone of her career. “She always accompanies me to competitions and always supports me. Their support and presence has brought me this far. I don't think most athletes get to realize that, and I'm really blessed."I will always be grateful to my parents for setting me on the right path on and off the field," she said.
Sahana said that she too is blessed. “As a mother, I am really happy to have a daughter like Pavana. Seeing your child succeed and realize his dream gives great happiness to parents. We want him to perform well in senior competitions also.And we keep telling him to focus on senior events, especially the Olympics, as a big target.
“The main thing is to focus on what you want and stay dedicated. Sahana said, “The mentality we give her may sometimes bother her but later she understands that what my parents say is really good for me.”
Pavana's father BG Nagaraj is also an acclaimed sprinter, having won the men's 100 gold medal at the AFI National Inter-State Championships in Patiala in 2010. He was crowned India's fastest sprinter for recording a time of 10.50 seconds at the 2010 Asian Games.tests. He currently works with Railways.
The transition to long jump came with his training as a heptathlete. Sahan Kumari, who is a SAI coach, revealed that she wants her daughter to participate in the multi-event competition. “We want him to participate in multiple programs so that his overall development is taken care of.This is what is lacking in this generation. They are just focusing on one discipline,” she told SAI media.
“I told her that instead of limiting herself to one event, she should try heptathlon to find out her strengths. We want her to excel in many events and she needs to understand which events she is good at. As a parent or coach, we are not pressurizing him to adopt any particular discipline.We are only supporting her so that she can enjoy her journey,” said Sahana Kumari.
Pavana Nagaraj, who has received support through the Khelo India Scholarship Scheme since 2018, told SAI media that the SAI center in Bengaluru has played an integral role in her life. “This is my second home. I used to go to the SAI track in Bengaluru since my childhood, when my mother was training there. Joined the center in 2017.My roots are in SAI Bengaluru,” she said.
Pavana said that her mother has been the backbone of her career. “She always accompanies me to competitions and always supports me. Their support and presence has brought me this far. I don't think most athletes get to realize that, and I'm really blessed."I will always be grateful to my parents for setting me on the right path on and off the field," she said.
Sahana said that she too is blessed. “As a mother, I am really happy to have a daughter like Pavana. Seeing your child succeed and realize his dream gives great happiness to parents. We want him to perform well in senior competitions also.And we keep telling him to focus on senior events, especially the Olympics, as a big target.
“The main thing is to focus on what you want and stay dedicated. Sahana said, “The mentality we give her may sometimes bother her but later she understands that what my parents say is really good for me.”
Pavana's father BG Nagaraj is also an acclaimed sprinter, having won the men's 100 gold medal at the AFI National Inter-State Championships in Patiala in 2010. He was crowned India's fastest sprinter for recording a time of 10.50 seconds at the 2010 Asian Games.tests. He currently works with Railways.
