Meet India’s second-fastest woman sprinter Harita Bhadra, her Asian Games journey, jewellery brand and admiration for Rafael Nadal.
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Harita Bhadra (Photo: X)
Harita Bhadra is heading into the Asian Games with plenty of confidence after putting together the best season of her athletics careerThe 23-year-old sprinter recently clocked 11.22 seconds in the 100m at the Indian Athletics Series Final in New Delhi, becoming the second-fastest Indian woman ever in the event.
Bhadra has also qualified for the Asian Games in the 200m and will compete in the 4x100m relayThe upcoming Games will be a special occasion for her as it will be her first international competitionShe will compete alongside Unnathi Bollanda, with both athletes set to feature in the 200m and relay events.
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A breakthrough season for Bhadra
Bhadra’s latest 100m performance is part of a strong yearShe has won the national indoor 60m title, claimed the national 200m title and produced several personal bests.
Her 11.22-second run in New Delhi was another major step forwardThe timing was a personal best and moved her to second on India’s all-time list in the women’s 100m.
“I was just very happyObviously, I’m very happy to have come away with a PB,” Bhadra told Timesofindia.com.
Her form in the 200m has also been impressiveShe won the event at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar in June with a timing of 23.14 secondsThat was comfortably inside the Asian Games qualifying mark of 23.70 seconds and placed her ninth on India’s all-time list.
From student-athlete to full-time sprinter
Bhadra’s progress has come after she made an important decision this yearAfter completing her BSc in Sports Science, Coaching and Physical Education from Loughborough University in the UK last year, she decided to give athletics her full attention.
“I’ve been tackling studies and sports since I started my education,” she said“Last year, I graduatedI did a BSc in Sports Science Coaching and Physical Education from Loughborough University in the UK.”
“And this year, I decided to give myself to athletics so that I can only focus on training because I’ve been a student-athlete since I started my education,” she said“So I wanted to give this year to myself.”
Jewellery business and Rafael Nadal connection
There is another side to Bhadra away from the trackShe runs a handmade jewellery brand called Dagina, where she designs and makes jewellery herself before selling it online.
The Indian sprinter also looks up to tennis great Rafael NadalShe admires his mental strength, humility and the way he conducts himself away from sport.
“I just love his personality because mentally he’s so strong, but outside court he’s also such a good human,” Bhadra said“He carries himself with so much humility and, you know, like, I don’t know the right word for it, but he’s been my idolLike, that’s how I want to be.”
Asian Games medal the next target
Bhadra has clear targets for her Asian Games debutShe wants to finish on the podium and improve her personal best.
“I’m very excited to do the 200 because this will be like my first international event everI’m excited to represent India and do my best and get a medal for India,” she said.
For now, she wants to keep things simple rather than put too much pressure on herself.
“My life mantra would be one day at a time,” she said.
