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That perfect finish in last 300 metres of the race where Gomathi Marimuthu sped to grab a gold will go down in history. Gomathi made India proud by winning a gold at the 800 m race at the Asian Athletics Championships in Doha.
Hailing from a poor family from a village in Trichy in Tamil Nadu, Gomathi is the youngest of three siblings.
The Quint caught up with the gold medalist and we talked perseverance, need to win, teenage years and family.
Tell us what was going through your head when you were in the last 100 metres.
In the first 100 metres, I ran in the outer lane because our event is a difficult one. (I knew) if I run in the inner lane, running outside will be difficult. I came to the outer lane only in the last 300 metres. If I had not come out at that time, I would’ve definitely not been able to win the medal. I had already thought about this. If I hadn’t been disturbed (by the ones running before me), I would’ve completed the race much earlier. In the last 100 metres my body became relaxed and I felt, ‘Yes Gomathi, you can run this. Do it.’ I left a gap for the other girl, and then beat her. In that 50 metres, I suddenly gained more speed.
At 30, do you think there’s an age bar for success?
There is no age bar for success. Hard work is all you need. Many people have told me that I am old and asked me why I am not getting married yet. I said that my aim is to achieve.
What is your message to sportswomen?
My interest is sports. Telling me to get married is wrong. The same way no one should discourage other women like this. You should let everyone follow their desires.
Tell us about your family. How proud are they of you? What are they saying?
My mother’s only worry is that my father isn’t there. Amma is very happy. Earlier I was struggling, and then when I started earning I gave it to my mother. Today many are offering to sponsor me. I have no family problems today. I am concentrating only on sports now. I miss my father terribly. If he were alive, he would be standing here before I get here.
What is your request to the government?
No one has sponsored me before. Now, if Tamil Nadu government sponsors me, I will be able to perform better.
Gomathi Marimuthu's mother, Rasathi, spoke about how the her father struggled to educate her.
“With a lot of difficulty, he (my husband) afforded education for our children. Seeing their father struggle, two of them stopped their studies. One studied till 10th grade, another till 5th grade, then they said they would get into labour work. But she (Gomathi) said she will study hard,” she said.
“From Class 6 she used to win medals. She has won many shields and trophies.”Rasathi, Gomathi Marimuthu’s mother
Gomathi’s mother was very proud of her daughter’s achievement. “Without our knowledge she would go (for training there). She wouldn't even come home regularly. She didn't even come for her sister's wedding. She just stayed there and focussed on training. I am very happy,” she said.
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