October 9, 2023 – Nandini Agasara – Buddy4Study extends its heartfelt congratulations to Nandini Agasara, a beneficiary under Colgate Keep India Smiling Foundational Scholarship Programme for Sportspersons for winning a well-deserved bronze medal in women’s heptathlon event at the Asian Games 2023, Hangzhou, China.
The 20-year-old athlete finished with an overall total of 5712 points, a personal best. She won the final event, the 800m race, to seal the third place ahead of compatriot Swapna Barman.
Apart from the 800m, Nandini won the 200m race as well which got her 936 points. She also achieved personal best scores in the 200m race and the javelin throw during the competition.
Women initially competed in the pentathlon – five disciplines – at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo. This format was later replaced by the seven-event heptathlon and introduced at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
Heptathlon is a multi-disciplinary athletics event for women. It consists of seven track and field events which are contested over two consecutive days.
It covers a wide range of athletic skills. A heptathlete requires speed, explosive strength, skill and agility. The first day consists of 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200m in the same order. Day two comprises the long jump, javelin and 800m.
The seven events in heptathlon are as under:
1. 100 Meters Hurdles: A sprint race with hurdles, where athletes must clear a series of hurdles placed at specific intervals while running 100 meters.
2. High Jump: Athletes compete in the high jump, aiming to clear a horizontal bar without knocking it down. The bar is raised incrementally until only one athlete remains.
3. Shot Put: Athletes throw a heavy spherical object (the shot) as far as possible.
4. 200 Meters Sprint: A sprint race over 200 meters on the track.
5. Long Jump: Athletes perform a standing long jump into a sandpit, and the distance they cover is measured.
6. Javelin Throw: Competitors throw a javelin as far as possible, aiming for distance.
7. 800 Meters Run: A middle-distance race where athletes run 800 meters on the track.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Agasara for her “phenomenal” performance.
“India celebrates the phenomenal Bronze Medal by @AgasaraNandini in the Women’s Heptathlon 800m event. She is an absolute champion, personifying sporting spirit and excellence. Congrats to her and all the best for the endeavours ahead,” the prime minister wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Agasara, a resident of Secunderabad in Telangana, became a recipient of the Colgate Keep India Smiling Foundational Scholarship Programme for Sportspersons in 2020.
The program is an initiative of Colgate-Palmolive India Limited to support athletes like Nandini who are deserving and meritorious but may lack the resources to pursue their dreams.
Nandini Agasara – A Challenging Journey
Nandini Agasara’s inspirational journey has its roots in humble beginnings. Her father earns a living as a tea seller, while her mother works as a domestic help, both striving tirelessly to make ends meet.
At just 16 years old, Agasara’s talent caught the coach’s attention at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Bolarum, during a school sports competition. Impressed by her performance, her coach recommended her to the renowned Indian coach N. Ramesh.
Following this, she gained admission to the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions in Secunderabad, Telangana. In 2023, she furthered her education by enrolling at Osmania University in Hyderabad, Telangana, where she pursued a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree.
During an interview, she revealed that her maternal grandfather played a crucial role in supporting her career in sports, especially considering her family’s challenging financial situation. At one point, they even lived under a flyover.
However, things started to improve when her father secured a job as a security guard, allowing them to move into a rented house. Subsequently, he established a tea shop in Secunderabad.
Agasara also shared that she had to practice racing barefoot in the early days, but thanks to her coach Praveen’s assistance, she was eventually provided with proper athletic shoes. Her uncle played a significant role in pursuing sports. She dedicated her medal to their memory.
Agasara disclosed that she had spent a sleepless night before the competition, driven by the unwavering determination to secure a medal for India at all costs.
She expressed her gratitude to the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), the Government of India, her dedicated coaches, and all those who stood by her and contributed in her path to success.
After 20 days of fierce competition at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, the Indian contingent secured an unprecedented total of 107 medals.
This included a phenomenal tally of 28 gold medals, 38 silver medals, and 41 bronze medals, surpassing their previous best performance set during the 2018 Jakarta Games.
Also Read: Kotak Kanya Scholarship 2023 – Dream High, Aim for the Sky
Nandini Agasara – Career Highlights
In 2018, Nandini Agasara commenced her professional training for various athletic competitions and subsequently participated in a wide range of events.
1. 100m Race: In the 100m race category, she competed in prestigious athletics competitions, including:
- The National Inter State Senior Athletics Championships at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai
- The Telangana State Championships in Hyderabad
- The Indian Grand Prix at Sree Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium in Bengaluru
2. 200m Race and 800m Race: In the 200m and 800m categories, she showcased her talent in events such as:
- The Indian U20 Championships in Thiruvananthapuram
- The Indian Championships at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar
- The 19th Asian Games at HOC Stadium in Hangzhou
3. High Jump, Shot Put, Javelin Throw: She demonstrated her versatility in high jump, shot put, and javelin throw at competitions including:
- The Indian U20 Championships in Thiruvananthapuram
- The 19th Asian Games at HOC Stadium in Hangzhou
- The Indian Championships at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar
4. Long Jump: Under the long jump category, she participated in multiple championships, including:
- The 19th Asian Games at HOC Stadium in Hangzhou
- The National Inter State Senior Athletics Championships at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai
- The Federation Cup in Patiala
- The National Inter State Senior Athletics Championships in Patiala
5. Heptathlon: Nandini showcased her skills in the heptathlon event at competitions such as:
- The Indian U20 Championships in Thiruvananthapuram
- The Indian Championships at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar
- The Asian Games 2023, Hangzhou, China
6. 4×100 Metres Relay: In the 4x100m relay race, she participated in the following esteemed competitions:
- The National Open Championships at Stadium Hanamkonda in Warangal
- The Indian National Games in Gujarat
- The National Interstate Senior Athletics Championships in Patiala
7. 100m Hurdles: In 2022, she competed in the 100m hurdle event at various championships, including:
- The Indian U23 Championships in Bilaspur
- National Inter State Senior Athletics Championships in Patiala
- National Open Athletics Championships at Sree Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium, Bengaluru
- World Athletics U20 Championships at Pascual Guerrero Stadium in Cali
She got her training under the able guidance of Indian coaches Laxman, Ramesh, Nagaraj, and Praveen.
Nandini Agasara – Achievement of Medals
Gold Medals
- 2020: U-17 long jump event at Khelo India Youth Games
- 2021: 100m event at Junior National State Meet, Gachibowli
Silver Medals
- 2021: National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships, Patiala
- 2022: 100m hurdles at the National Open Athletics Championships, Sree Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium, Bengaluru
Bronze Medal
- 2023: Heptathlon event at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, China
Note:- Nandini Agasara has secured an impressive total of 27 medals in various athletic events.
To explore various scholarships, please visit the official website of Buddy4Study.
Nandini Agasara – FAQs
Who is Nandini Agasara?
Nandini Agasara is a 20-year-old Indian athlete from Secunderabad, Telangana. She won a well-deserved bronze medal in the women’s heptathlon event at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, China.
What is a women’s heptathlon event in sports?
Women’s heptathlon is a combined athletics event designed specifically for female athletes. It consists of seven different track and field events, which are held over two days. These events are:
- 100m Hurdles: A sprint race with hurdles that are 100 meters in length.
- High Jump: Athletes attempt to clear a horizontal bar without knocking it down using a specific jumping technique.
- Shot Put: Competitors throw a heavy spherical object (the shot) as far as possible.
- 200m Sprint: A short-distance race on the track covering 200 meters.
- Long Jump: Athletes leap from a take-off board into a sandpit, aiming for the longest possible distance.
- Javelin Throw: Competitors throw a javelin, a spear-like implement, for distance.
- 800m Run: A middle-distance race covering 800 meters on the track.
What is the Colgate Keep India Smiling Foundational Scholarship Programme for Sportspersons?
The Colgate Keep India Smiling Foundational Scholarship Programme for Sportspersons is a scholarship scheme of the Colgate-Palmolive India Limited. It extends financial support to sportspersons who have represented the State/Country at the State/National/International level in the last 2 to 3 years.
How can I apply for the Colgate Keep India Smiling Foundational Scholarship Programme for Sportspersons?
Interested and eligible candidates can apply under the scholarship programme through the official website of Buddy4Study.
What are the family income criteria for sportspersons in order to be considered eligible for the Colgate Keep India Smiling Foundational Scholarship and Mentorship Programme for Sportsperson and Individuals?
To be eligible, the applicant’s annual family income should be less than ₹5 lakh.