We all knew that, Swapna Barman has won a historic gold in the face of severe adversity. With 6026 points, her personal best score, the 21-year-old beat the odds to become the first Indian woman to win an Asian Games heptathlon gold.
She did this, despite having a bandaged chin and severe toothache.However, the pain was nothing as compared to the hardships Barman has endured throughout career. Having being born with an extra finger in each of her feet, and then picking an unusual sport to compete in - heptathlons are extremely challenging and grueling - the young athlete ensured that struggle and adversity were always a part of Barman's daily existence.
However, when she won the historic gold, her mother was beyond overjoyed. A video of her mother celebrating was shared by cricketer Virendra Sehwag on social media, capturing the truly emotional sight.
Have become an even bigger admirer of Swapna Barmam after coming to know of the struggles she had to go through. 6 toes in each leg, bandaged jaw, father a rickshaw puller and countless struggles. This is her mother watching her win the Gold on television, thanking the almighty pic.twitter.com/GNBVPw1kDO
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 30, 2018