In 2020, Nethra Kumanan achieved a historic milestone as the first female sailor from India to qualify for the Olympics. She is now preparing to represent India at the 2024 Paris Games in Marseille. The 26-year-old from Chennai made a remarkable career shift from mechanical engineering to professional sailing, demonstrating her unwavering determination. Kumanan honed her skills through rigorous training in Spain's Gran Canaria islands. Beyond her sailing prowess, she is also a talented dancer, singer, and accomplished painter.
Nethra Kumanan: First Indian Woman Sailor To Qualify For Olympics
Nethra Kumanan is the first Indian sailor to qualify for the Olympics by topping the qualifying event. She claimed her spot under the Emerging Nations Programme at the Last Chance Regatta in Hyeres, France. The other Indian sailors filled up the spot through the quota system or waiting list.
Kumanan was born and raised in Chennai and completed her B.Tech- Mechanical Engineering from SRM University. She is now reportedly pursuing an MBA alongside being a full-time sailor. She started sailing at a summer class in 2010 at Tamil Nadu Sailing Association's 'Summer Sailing Camp'.
Kumanan trained in various countries and represented India at the Asian Games in 2014 in South Korea and in 2018 in Jakarta where she finished seventh and fifth respectively. In 2017, she took a break from her engineering aspirations to focus on her athletic career.Β
In 2020, Kumanan became the first Indian to win a medal (bronze) at the Hempel Sailing World Cup Series, in Miami, U.S.A. At the ILCA Asian Championships 2022 in Thailand, she won a silver medal. She has also won over 20 medals at national and international sailing championships.
Kumanan races in the Laser Radial category, a small, dinghy-style boat that is sailed single-handedly. In 2021, she earned her 2020 Tokyo Games qualification after an outstanding performance at the Mussanah Open Championship in Oman, where she led the 10-race series.
Speaking to Chennai-based media house Adyar Times, Kumanan said, "Iβm excited and looking forward to being able to represent the country on one of the worldβs biggest stages. A lot of work, preparation and joy has gone into the process and Iβm yet to see it through to the end of this mega event.Β I believe pressure is a privilege and Iβve learnt to make the most of it!"
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