“Winning the gold medal in the heptathlon at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea, in May 2025 was the proudest moment of my life. As the Indian flag rose behind me, my thoughts went straight to my father, who spent years working tirelessly—first running a tea stall and now managing a small pan shop—to give our family a better future.
I scored a personal best of 5,941 points and became only the third Indian woman to win gold in the heptathlon at the Asian Championships. While the medal carries my name, it also carries the story of my parents’ sacrifices and years of hard work.
I grew up in a humble family in Secunderabad, Telangana. My mother has always been my strongest support, and together my parents taught me the values of discipline, perseverance, and resilience. Watching them work day after day showed me that no dream is out of reach when you’re willing to put in the effort.
My athletics journey began in 2018 at Hyderabad’s Gachibowli Stadium. I didn’t know much about the sport then; I simply loved running. A coach noticed my potential and introduced me to Coach Nagapuri Ramesh sir, who guided me into the heptathlon. Later, Coach A. N. Saji sir and Coach Nagaraju sir played an important role in shaping my journey.
My first major breakthrough came in 2021 when I won silver at the National Inter-State Championships. In 2022, I set a new U20 national record in the 100m hurdles at the World U20 Championships in Colombia. In 2023, I won bronze in the heptathlon at the Asian Games in Hangzhou.
When I went to the Asian Athletics Championships in 2025, I was carrying an elbow injury and honestly wasn’t expecting to win gold. The pain worsened during the javelin throw, but I kept going. I pushed through all seven events, and when it was over, I had achieved a personal best and become the Asian champion.
As I prepare for the Asian Games 2026, I hope to return stronger and bring home another gold for India. If my journey has taught me anything, it’s that where you start in life doesn’t decide how far you can go. Progress isn’t always quick, and success rarely comes without setbacks, but consistency, patience, and belief in yourself can take you places you once thought were impossible.”
- Nandini Agasara, Athelete