From Remote Bengal Village to World Stage: Asian U20 Champion Tahura Khatun Eyes World Athletics Glory

Kolkata, July 24: Having scripted history by becoming the first athlete from West Bengal to qualify for the World U20 Athletics Championships, 19-year-old Tahura Khatun is now aiming even higher.

Fresh from her gold medal-winning performance at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships, the youngster has set her sights on another podium finish at the upcoming global event in Oregon, USA, before chasing what she calls the ultimate dream - an Olympic gold medal.

"My ultimate goal is to win gold at the Olympics. For now, I am totally focused on the World U20 Athletics Championships. I will compete in the mixed 4x400m relay, which will require a collective effort from the entire team in order to win a medal. However, I will put in my best effort and do my best to make the country proud," Tahura said before departing for the United States.

Tahura, who trains at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Eastern Centre under chief coach Sanjoy Ghosh and assistant coach Jaspal Singh Pannu, earned her place at the World U20 Championships after helping India win gold in the women's 4x400m relay at the Asian U20 Championships last month.

The historic achievement has brought fresh expectations, but the teenager insists she is ready for the challenge.

"There have been a lot of changes in my life after my success at the Asian U20 event. The expectations are greater now. However, I am in good form and recently won gold at the state meet, where I created a new meet record. I am aiming to carry this form into the World U20," she said.

From Football Fields to the Athletics Track

Tahura's journey has been anything but conventional. Hailing from Phulbari village in Bhangar, South 24 Parganas, the sprinter grew up playing football and cricket with local boys before discovering athletics - a decision that would eventually change her life.

She credits the SAI Eastern Centre for providing not just world-class coaching but also the support system that allowed her talent to flourish.

"I have been training at SAI for the last five years and I owe all my achievements to the coaches and support staff. They look after all my requirements, including training and diet," she said.

Life, however, wasn't always easy.

"When I started athletics, my family found it difficult to support my training financially. But after I was selected to train at SAI, everything changed. I hope to achieve greater glory under the guidance of my coaches Sanjoy sir and Jaspal sir."

Tahura also hopes her rise inspires more youngsters from West Bengal to embrace athletics. "I hope my achievements will inspire the youth of West Bengal to take up athletics in bigger numbers."

One Regret, One Motivation

Despite returning home as an Asian U20 champion, Tahura admits one moment still lingers in her mind. "When I returned after the Asian U20 Championships, there was no one to receive me at the airport," she said.

Rather than dwell on the disappointment, the teenager has turned it into motivation. "I aim to change that by winning medals at the world level."

With history already made and bigger dreams driving her forward, Tahura Khatun now heads to Oregon hoping to announce herself on the world stage-and take another step towards her ultimate ambition of Olympic glory.