The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has selected wrestler Bharati Bijarniya as a National Wrestling Coach, marking a major milestone for sports in Rajasthan. Hailing from Malakali village in the Reengas area of Sikar district, Bharati is the sole female athlete chosen for this prestigious coaching position from the entire state of Rajasthan. Having earned multiple medals at both national and international levels during her competitive wrestling career, she is now set to train India's next generation of women wrestlers.
Third Attempt Success After Initial Setbacks
Reaching the position of a national coach required tremendous grit and perseverance from Bharati. She appeared for the rigorous Sports Authority of India national coaching selection examination three times in total. After failing to secure selection in her first two attempts, she refined her technical knowledge and kept her training regimen intact. Her relentless determination paid off in her third attempt, where her exceptional score earned her the top spot. Bharati attributes her success to consistent hard work, resilience, and unwavering self-confidence.
10-Month Intensive Training and Permanent Posting in Lucknow
Before assuming her duties as a full-time national coach, Bharati will undergo an intensive 10-month training module at Asia's premier sports training center. Upon completing this comprehensive program, she will be officially posted to the permanent National Wrestling Academy located in Lucknow. In Lucknow, Bharati will lead the technical and physical preparation of elite female wrestlers arriving from across the country, preparing them for international events, world championships, and multi-sport games.
Returning as Coach to the Academy Where She Trained
A particularly meaningful dimension of Bharati's achievement is that she will now guide young athletes at the very academy where she once spent years training as a competitive wrestler. Her journey reached a crucial turning point while pursuing her college education in Reengas, where she began competing in regional and national tournaments with strong backing from her family. Now, transitioning from star wrestler to elite mentor, she aims to help aspiring female athletes achieve international success.
Paving the Way for Rural Female Athletes
Growing up in Malakali village, Bharati naturally possessed the athletic frame suited for combat sports, leading local mentors to encourage her entry into wrestling. Over the years, her dedicated efforts brought home numerous national and international medals. By securing this appointment, she becomes the very first female wrestler from Sikar district to qualify as a national wrestling coach, demonstrating how dedication can propel athletes from rural backgrounds onto the national stage.
