Punjab Newsline | Sports
Twenty-year-old Ritu Mondal from a small village in West Bengal’s Hooghly district has scripted an inspiring success story by winning two gold medals at the inaugural World Yogasana Championships in Ahmedabad. The daughter of a mason, Ritu’s remarkable achievement has not only brought pride to the nation but has also moved her one step closer to her ultimate dream of representing India on the biggest international sporting stages and winning an Olympic medal.
Ritu’s journey to the top has been anything but easy. Coming from a modest family, she faced financial challenges throughout her career, yet her determination and unwavering support from her family kept her focused on her goal. As she celebrated her historic victories with the Indian flag draped around her shoulders, her parents and elder brother watched from the stands with tears of joy and pride.
Behind Ritu’s success stands her elder brother Gautam, a former Yogasana athlete who had to give up his own sporting ambitions due to financial constraints. Today, after completing a physiotherapy course, he dedicates his time to mentoring and guiding Ritu. His constant encouragement and honest feedback have played a crucial role in shaping her into a world-class athlete. Rather than praising her achievements, Gautam continues to push her towards greater heights, reminding her that every success is just another step in a much bigger journey.
Before making her mark on the global stage, Ritu had already showcased her talent by winning bronze medals at the Khelo India Youth Games in Chennai and the Khelo India University Games in Assam. Those performances laid the foundation for her confidence and prepared her for international competition.
At the World Yogasana Championships, Ritu delivered exceptional performances, displaying extraordinary balance, flexibility, strength and precision against some of the world’s best athletes. Her efforts earned her two gold medals, making her the first Indian athlete to achieve the feat at the prestigious event.
Despite the historic success, Ritu remains focused on the future. She hopes to continue representing India internationally and dreams of seeing Yogasana included in the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and eventually the Olympics. Supported by a monthly scholarship from Galgotias University and motivated by her family’s sacrifices, Ritu is determined to continue her rise and bring more glory to India in the years ahead.
