Nikita Kumari helps India win gold in kabaddi against Iran

…playing Kabaddi at the age of eight. Her coach, Sunil Dabad, believes that her surroundings and early entry into the sports helped her build mental toughness that Nikita now displays on the international stage. “ In the villages of Haryana, most children grow up playing kabaddi. Nikita and her three younger sisters have all taken to the sport, and I have watched her journey closely from a young age. I always believed that Nikita had the talent and determination to one day make her country proud ,” Dabad said. Before earning her place in the senior Indian team, Nikita had already established herself at the junior level. She had represented India in youth competitions and also had the responsibility of…

…playing despite suffering injury, showing the determination required to remain on the mat,” Dabas said. Nikita’s mother, Vinod Kumari, said her daughter showed a natural inclination towards kabaddi from a young age. “ She started training when she was in Class 3. She took to the sport naturally and gradually became more serious about it ,” she said. For Vinod, seeing her daughter represent India on the international stage is a moment of immense pride. “It feels wonderful when people come to us and talk about Nikita’s performance. She has not only made…