This is K.R. Nagar girl’s second international event in a span of one year

Mysuru: The only athlete from Mysuru representing India in the World University Games scheduled to be held in Napoli, Italy, this year, is heptathlete M.R. Dhanusha.

Daughter of autorickshaw driver Manju and Rukmini from K.R. Nagar of Mysuru, Dhanusha is among the four sportspersons from Karnataka who are part of 40-member Indian team which will be in Italy from July 3 to 13 to take part in the ‘30th Summer Universiade Games.’

Though born in a poor family, Dhanusha, with her outstanding performance in Heptathlon (a contest made up of seven track and field events) has carved a niche for herself in the field of sports.

A first year BBA student of Somani College, Mysuru, Dhanusha gave a noteworthy performance in Junior Asia Games held in Japan, bagged gold medal in Federation Cup and has also participated in Junior National, South Zone Championships and other sports events. She has also broken the 24-year-old record in Mysore University Athletics and is now working hard to make her mark in National and International sports arena.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, athlete Dhanusha said that she will be participating in heptathlon which consists of 100-metre hurdles, high-jump, shot-put and 200-metre run on the first day; and the running long (broad) jump, javelin-throw, and 800-metre run on the second day.

“The Italy event is scheduled from July 3 to 13. I must leave to Odisha on June 20 to attend a Training Camp there. Participants must bear the travelling expenses by themselves, which comes around Rs.3 lakh. My father is an autorickshaw driver and mother a housewife. I am finding it difficult to arrange the money required,” she rued.

Stating that due to LS elections, she is also unable to reach out to any politician seeking financial aid, she hoped that some philanthropists would come forward to provide her financial help to make it big in the Intl. level.

Dhanusha’s coach M. Punith, who spoke, said: “She is being trained by the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES) and has always been an achiever in Mysore University Championships and National events. While three athletes from Mangaluru have been selected for World University Games, she is the only athlete from Mysuru participating in the event. Many people and organisations in Mangaluru have come forward to help their athletes and if Dhanusha also gets support and sponsorships from citizens of Mysuru and other organisations, she will be able to make her mark in the Italy event.”

Those wanting to wish and help Dhanusha may contact Mob: 73381-54079 (heptathlete) or 94498-59055 (coach).