“Nervous” Swapna Barman vouches to rise up to people’s expectations
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Swapna Barman has revealed that the Asian Games medal has changed her life and people’s expectations have also risen drastically. However, she tries to keep her zen and composure and asked for people’s blessing so as to become successful in winning an Olympic medal for the country.
Asian Athletics Championship in 2017 was a landmark event for Swapna Barman as she won a gold at the finish line of the 800m race. Hopes were pinned on her from that event and she didn’t disappoint either and won the gold medal in the Asian Games in Jakarta despite nursing an injury to her jaw, which she had covered with a Kinesio tape. Her heroics made her a star overnight and a family, which didn’t have enough food to survive a few months back, became the
"Life has changed but I have not changed. People's approach has changed. I sometimes feel I am dreaming or sleeping," Swapna said at the India Today's East Conclave 2018 in Kolkata.
"I am scared now. Earlier my parents and coach wanted me to win, to do well. Now, all my countrymen want me to win an Olympic medal. That expectation makes me nervous ... thinking what if I can't deliver," she said.
In the Asian Games, Barman won the gold medal by beating the likes of defending champion Ekaterina Voronin and Qingling Wang, who had won the silver medal behind Voronina in 2014. Although her final tally of 6026 points is still below the Olympics standard, she will have a lot of time on her hand to hone her skills. But, Barman is not the one to shy away from challenges and she is ready to embrace the new target.
"I do get motivated that everyone is watching but it also scares me if I will be able to do well or not but my sir is there with me, he will make me practice. I will practice even more for the Olympics and if I have everyone's blessings, I will do well," Swapna said.
