Nithya's Resilience: Overcoming Hurdles In The Race Of Life

Nithya's journey in the world of athletics began at a tender age, inspired by her father's passion for sports. Watching him play Kabaddi on the grounds ignited a spark within her, leading her initially into swimming and eventually finding her true calling in athletics. Remarkably, at the age of 13, Nithya secured a state record in the 600m, marking the commencement of her illustrious athletic career.

“Back then there was no social media, making an identity of your own wasn’t easy” 

Sports became Nithya's vehicle for self-expression and fulfilment. Until the age of 17, she consistently won various national medals and it gave her a sense of identity. However, a pivotal moment arose when her coach suggested transitioning to the 400m hurdles, unknowingly setting the stage for a formidable challenge. “I was recommended to give up sport and not continue it anymore. I quit sports for 2-3 years but got up again and resumed my training” she added. 

“My dad was like nothing has happened to you and he made me go to the ground every day”

Undeterred by the absence of support from her coach and the physical setbacks that followed her attempt at the 400m hurdles, Nithya's father played a crucial role in reigniting her passion. Selected for an Indian camp in Patiala, she underwent rigorous training for the next 4 years. Her coaches recognised her potential in the 400m hurdles. She told them about her past issues with her knee. But she decided to try again. “I thought I haven’t had a problem for so many years so I decided to give it a shot anyway” she shared. Within a week her knee problems recurred and she had to rush to the doctor.

“The doctor told me that my ACL was missing since 2011”

A visit to a new doctor uncovered a shocking revelation—her ligament had been torn a decade earlier, a fact concealed from her by her previous coach and doctor. “ I don’t really know why they did that. If they had told me I would have recovered long back and a lot more easily,” she said. This betrayal jeopardised her career and the negligence of her mentors put her athletic aspirations at serious risk.

“I decided to get an operation but the decision backfired for sure”

Despite her challenging circumstances, Nithya returned to the field in 2019, winning a national gold medal without undergoing surgery. However, to avoid any future complications, Nithya decided to proceed with the operation in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. “ The world was on hold and I would have gotten the time to recover,” she revealed. Unfortunately, the operation proved to be a turning point, “my body’s mechanism was totally different for 10 years and now it is a totally new thing. My body couldn’t understand the operation”, leading to the end of her athletic career. 

“My body is my temple and I treat it like that”

Despite the setback, Nithya found solace and purpose in inspiring others through social media. “I still do exercises and train my body but not with the intensity that I used to do it earlier with” she shared. While her everyday routines are impressive for the average person, she yearns that she can’t do the things that she did earlier for her dreams. 

“Social media made me financially independent and opened a lot of opportunities for me. But my real pleasure will always be sports” 

Reflecting on her proud moment in February 2018 when she won for her country, Nithya describes it as her ‘I’m Worth It’ moment. “I still get goosebumps remembering how the Indian flag was hosted and how when it went up I had tears in my eyes,” she recalled.

Nithya’s story echoes to all the women out there that one should never give up on their dreams. The key is to believe in oneself wholeheartedly. Always prioritise yourself and never be afraid of giving in all that you have to achieve your dreams. If you don't believe in your capabilities, it's unlikely that others will. Your hard work and dedication will bring you the success that you're looking for.

*This article is published in collaboration with L'Oréal Paris*