Srinagar: The Khelo India Water Sports Festival on Friday witnessed a nail-biting contest as Odisha’s Rasmita Sahoo claimed gold in the women’s 200-metre canoe singles at Dal Lake, Srinagar. She finished in 53.53 seconds, ahead of athletes from Kerala and Madhya Pradesh.
The 23-year-old athlete’s colleague, wishing anonymity, said Rasmita has overcome tremendous personal loss.
“Her father suffered a serious road accident in 2011, and her mother passed away in a similar accident in 2015, leaving the family struggling financially,” she said.
Encouraged by a friend, Rasmita joined the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence in Jagatpur, Odisha, where she trained in canoeing, kayaking, and rowing.
She has previously won medals at the National Games and secured a gold medal in Bhopal.
Since 2024, Sahoo has been serving as an Odisha Police Officer while supporting her family. She credited her coach, Laishram Johanson Singh, for his guidance and support through financial and training challenges.
“I want to represent India in international events and will do my best to fulfil this dream,” she said, adding that she is preparing for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
The Khelo India Water Sports Festival, which started on Thursday and will continue till Saturday, features rowing, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, shikara races, and dragon boat races, with participation from 28 states and Union Territories
