Sports

Set For The Big Leap:Manisha Merel





Set For The Big Leap:Manisha Merel

Manisha Merel is an emerging name in Odisha athletics and it comes up every time there is a discussion on the future of long jump in the state.

She started taking part in athletics in 2013 when she was studying in Class 8 and since then, she has been winning numerous accolades for the state.

But the beginning for this rising star was humble to say the least. The fifth among six siblings, Manisha is a native of Keonjhar district and belongs to the Munda tribe. With her father plagued by health issues, her mother has been raising the children single handedly.

“I am inspired by my mother as she has always been a very positive person. She has taught all of us to always give our best and never give up,” Manisha revealed.

As to how she came to the world of sports, the youngster recalled, “I was not much aware of athletics as a professional sport. I used to take part in sports competitions in my school and village. One of my uncles suggested that I take part in a district-level trial and I did well. Then I participated in a state meet where I did well too.”

After the early success and with her family’s support, Manisha enrolled at the SAI Academy in Sundergarh. She was then 10 years old.

Initially, she used to play football and kho kho, but her natural speed and jumping ability made her well suited for long jump. Under the tutelage of coaches at the academy, she honed her skills and technique in long jump.

Her first big break came in 2013 when she won a silver medal in long jump at the East Zone Junior Athletics Championship.

Manisha went on to win two gold medals in 100m sprint and long jump at the Odisha State Athletics Meet in 2015. “Winning my first gold and that too in two events was an incredible feeling. Everyone at home was happy and it boosted my morale to do better in the future,” she said.

At present, Manisha is training at the Khelo India Academy in KIIT University. Her day begins at 6 am by training under the watchful eye of Sanjay Garnaik, Chief Athletics Coach of KIIT University.

Crediting Garnaik’s motivation, Manisha said, “My coach is a big inspiration as I get to learn so many things every day. He always pushes me to break new boundaries and has always boosted my morale no matter what my performance has been on any particular day.”

And what has been her most memorable experience so far? “It was most certainly the Khelo India University Games 2020 held here in KIIT. It was a great feeling to perform in front of the crowd here. My gold medal in long jump made it more special,” she replied.

It was all going well, but then the pandemic hit last year, followed by the lockdown. Everything was closed and Manisha was closeted at home. But this didn’t deter the fighting spirit in her. She could only manage to keep herself fit and in shape with whatever resources were available nearby. She continued to maintain her exercise and warm-up routines and waited for the pandemic to end.

Along with athletics, Manisha is also pursuing her final year of graduation with honours in Political Science.

And what next? “I am training hard for upcoming tournaments. I wish to win medals for India soon. I know that it will take a lot of hard work, dedication and determination, but I am prepared for that,” concluded this gutsy girl.

Coach Speak

Sanjay Garnaik, Chief Athletics Coach, KIIT University, has worked with Manisha for the last two years and feels that she is one of the most promising athletes to watch out for in the near future. “One of her strengths is that she is very optimistic and takes everything in the stride which is very important for an athlete. She has good speed and a very good technique,” the coach said on his young protégé.

“Manisha has a short height for a long jumper. However she makes up for it by having a good sprinting ability and a good jumping technique. She is a fast learner which is why her performance has consistently improved in a very short period of time. Right now we are working on improving her techniques further,” he added.

Author: Debi prasad sahu

Debi is an auteur of minimalism and a connoisseur of world movies and music. He loves to go on gastronomic adventures and crack PJs. He writes poetry and is a hippie soul.

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