Asian Games: Tracing Bronze Winner Athlete Nandini Agasara's Journey

Indian athlete Nandini Agasara bagged the bronze medal in the women’s heptathlon 800m event on October 1. But the joy of her victory was short-lived as fellow teammate Swapna Barman took to X (formerly Twitter), alleging that she “lost her medal to a transgender.”

20-year-old Agasara won the bronze on her debut in the Asian games at the heptathlon event with a total of 5712 points. On the other hand, Barman missed the position by a mere four points (5708) and finished fourth.

The Controversy

Thereafter, Barman posted on X, "I have lost my Asian Games bronze medal to a transgender woman at the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China. I want my medal back, as it is against the rules of our athletics. Help me and support me, please."

In response, Agasara said, "I am confident in my identity. She should provide evidence. I can also demonstrate my accomplishments in representing India and my dedication to serving the country. My primary goal is to contribute positively to our nation. It's only now, after our victory, that people are raising this issue."

Who Is Nandini Agasara?

Agasara, who won the 800-metre race at the U20 world championship in the women’s heptathlon, won the bronze after seven events. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated her through a tweet on his official X handle, called her a champion, and wished her luck.

Agasara, who was born on August 7, 2003, in Secunderabad, Telangana, had previously won silver in June at the Patiala National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championship 2021. She also bagged a silver in the 100-metre race at the World Athletics U20 Championships. In 2022, she clinched a silver medal at the National Open Athletics Championship.

On winning the bronze medal, Agasara dedicated it to her late grandfather and uncle, whom she called her source of motivation.

She was born into a humble family where her father worked at a tea shop, and her mother worked as a house helper. Agasara recalled helping her mother earlier and even now, when she finds time.

In December 2021, she was diagnosed with typhoid, and when she didn’t fully recover, she contacted the COVID-19 injection. She also suffered a grade 2 hamstring rupture, which took a toll on her confidence. She battled through the dreadful sting of illness and stated that without the support of her parents, she couldn’t have achieved this feat.

A former student of Kendra Vidyalaya, Agasara showcased her grit and determination through tough phases of her life before achieving this historic feat.

Suggested Reading: Nandini Agasara Reponds To Swapna Barman's 'Transgender' Allegations