Ahmedabad, June 7: Ritu Mandal, a 20-year-old from a small village in the Hooghly district of West Bengal, has made her country proud by winning two gold medals at the inaugural World Yoga Championship held in Ahmedabad. This remarkable achievement brings her closer to her dream of representing India at the Olympics and winning a medal. Ritu’s success is a testament to her years of hard work, sacrifice, and determination.
Present at the event to witness her triumph were her parents and elder brother. They were overwhelmed with emotion as they celebrated Ritu’s victory, draping her in the national flag. This moment was equally poignant for Ritu.
In an interview with Sai Media, Ritu shared, “My father works as a mason. Despite financial hardships, my family has always supported my dreams. I have trained in yoga for years and practiced rigorously. While others my age were engaged in different jobs, I faced challenges but never gave up. I believed in my goals.”
She added, “My brother is very passionate about yoga and wants me to reach the highest levels in this sport. Perhaps it’s because he was an athlete himself but couldn’t progress due to circumstances. He sees potential in me and constantly motivates me to improve.”
With a smile, Ritu remarked, “My brother has never told me, ‘You are the best athlete’ or ‘You are perfect.’ Even after good performances, he says, ‘Great job, but there’s still room for improvement. Keep working hard; you have a long way to go.’ I appreciate this about him. He always wishes the best for me. His dream is for me to represent India and win medals at the highest level.”
Ritu also credited her success to the support and sacrifices of her parents.
Before making her mark on the world stage, Ritu had already achieved success in national competitions. She won bronze medals at the Khelo India Youth Games in Chennai and the Khelo India University Games in Assam. These performances boosted her confidence to compete internationally. In Ahmedabad, she showcased her progress by competing against some of the best yoga athletes globally, winning two gold medals with her exceptional balance, flexibility, strength, and precision. She became the first Indian athlete to win two gold medals at the World Yoga Championship.
Despite her significant success in Ahmedabad, Ritu believes her journey has just begun. She stated, “I want to continue representing India in international competitions. My dream is for yoga to be included in the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and ultimately the Olympics. Winning an Olympic medal for India is my biggest goal.”
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