Team India’s paralympic athlete Sharad Kuman grounds athletic success in a deep understanding of self and society.
“There is no greater disability in society than the inability to see a person as more,” says Robert M Hensel. Indeed. An application in athletics is Mr. Sharad Kumar, an Indian athlete who won gold at the 2014 Asian Para Games and silver at the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships. At two years of age, Sharad Kuman suffered paralysis of his left leg after taking bogus medicine at a local polio eradication drive.
Courtesy Hindustantimes.com
But don’t think that diverted Kumar from personal or athletic success, even when he experienced great distress in his sport. He persisted, relying on formal education as a means to keep moving forward. Kumar completed a master’s degree in international relations at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi and studied international business management at Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute in Ukraine. Since 2017, he is undergoing training in Ukraine under TOPS (target Olympic podium scheme, government of India).
In this interview, Kumar shares his thoughts about athletics, life, and success.
Ravi: Tell us about your background in athletes and how you started. Who are your role models?
Sharad Kumar: I see this as destiny and I trust and have faith in god. I started my journey when I was two years of age and nobody was sure of me as a high jumper. Even I didn’t know as a child that I would be something in what I do. I thought I would end up maybe in the United Nations doing my civic studies or social sciences. But then destiny has got another plan for all of us. I studied in a boarding school in Darjeeling where sports are as important as education. I was a cricketer first and then a high jumper after having seen my brother do it. I broke all of his records. So there’s always a sibling rivalry and you want to prove yourself better than your elder brother.
Ravi: Who are your role models?
Sharad Kumar: I don’t believe in role models.
I love to read about self-made people who made their own lives–of people who succeeded themselves through the ranks on their own. I also feel that every person has their individuality, and I strongly believe in this individual approach. Motivation can happen from anywhere, and a spider can motivate us if we see its life.
Ravi: You started your journey so young? How was the situation back then and how well do you think conditions improved for para-athletes in our country today?
Sharad Kumar: It’s been a decade since I started, and things have changed for the good, but I still feel there’s a long way to go. Today, the government is officially sending us to tournaments, and it congratulates us when we succeed. Initially, nobody called us and it was all about cricket and now people are taking good note of the Paralympics. I am very happy with the way our prime minister is supporting athletes in our country.
Ravi: In a subcontinental setup, it’s never easy to think differently and be differently-abled. What challenges did you face in school as a student and as an athlete in your higher academic years?
Courtesy Telegraph India
Sharad Kumar: The actual thing is, I did not face any trouble with my disability. But, of course, there were instances of getting bullied in the institution by stronger boys, and there was a regionalization at that time. People try to prove their supremacy and hierarchy. All these things are there, of course. And my point is that now as a Paralympic medalist, I would like to use this as a platform to spread awareness because I know how much bullying hurts us mentally. I still get nightmares, shivering, and anxiety when I sleep and dream about those guys beating me up. So these are the things that I went through and I would like to put them forward to other people and ensure nobody goes through these again.
Ravi: Do you think the economic situation affects how athletes experience disability? Take a differently-abled person who was not from a good economic background. Will they be able to do things a normal person would not be able to do?
Sharad Kumar: Of course, it is an issue for paralympic athletes, and standing on the podium changes everything. But more than anyone, blind people face the biggest of challenges. For them, even reaching the stadium should be considered an achievement in itself. Everything is a challenge for them–from the infrastructure to walking on public roads and traveling to the tournament.
Ravi: From an Indian standpoint, can you discuss the present cultural scenario of paralympic sports in India and the changes you wish to see going forward?
Sharad Kumar: I think before society accepts us, we as physically-challenged persons must acknowledge and accept our disability–not just as a taboo, but as a reality. If we really can, we can use this to our advantage to land ourselves in government jobs. So we have to use these things and acknowledge them. The mindset of people will not change overnight. Women, in general, and women athletes, in particular, should be given equal opportunities and rights. Hence, we should accept who we are before taking the movement ahead. By dividing ourselves into political bodies, we go nowhere.
Courtesy, Paralympics.org
Ravi: You became the World No.1 at the age of 19. It must have been a surreal experience for you and your family members. Can you talk us through that day and those moments?
Sharad Kumar: I’ll tell you, my parents didn’t even know about it back then. Sports were not considered a big thing back then. My parents had little faith in sports and they thought it’s just a waste of time and energy. Now, when I think about it, I see it as something very big. If it happened today, I would have been all over the newspapers and in the media.
Ravi: I, and many others, were convinced of your innocence of doping charges that were leveled against you during the 2012 London Para Olympics. You have been cleared, of course, but it was a very trying situation. How has that experience helped you grow into the more mature and composed athlete you are today?
Sharad Kumar: That experience taught me the world is not a cleaner, safe place, and that you have to be careful with everything that comes into your life. It taught me the world is full of people who are willing to bring you down. I also realized that I am alone in this war and the struggles of my life. Neither my people nor my coaches were able to understand what I was going through.
And that’s when I realized that it was going to be a period where I would grow and mature–a great learning experience. I utilized the year of the ban to get my master’s degree. Education is vital to me and my life. I value being articulate with my words, and I am more mature as a result. I am also very proud that everything that happened in my life has led to personal betterment.
Ravi: Can you talk to us about your favorite medals and favorite international outings?
Sharad Kumar: The gold medal at the 2014 Asian Para Games is important because nobody thought I would come back strong after what happened earlier with doping and stuff. Everybody thought I was finished and tried to punish me, sabotage me, and now look at me. It’s almost 2022 now, and I have proven them wrong every day and in everything I did. I will not give up and my achievements are a slap on my critics’ faces.
Ravi: To be successful at any level, we need proper support and guidance at some vital stages in our lives. Can you talk about the support you have received from the Indian government under TOPS and other funding [rograms?
Sharad Kumar: TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) has been the backbone of support, and it made me realize that when the government comes to helping people, there is no stone left unturned. Their support is extensive. I had a plan in 2017 to be a paralympic podium medalist, and TOPS provided me with the required assistance and support.
The most important thing for any athlete is financial security, which was fulfilled by India’s government and TOPS. I cannot ask for anything more.
Ravi: Can you talk to us about the role media played in highlighting your career? How did they treat you in your lows and highs?
Sharad Kumar: I would still say that the media has a long way to go. When you compare us with sports like cricket, we are lagging, and there is a big gap. I would not say there is a lot of support, but there is a start. Yet, I also want to say that the future is bright. There are many young and talented athletes coming up and I am very hopeful we will get a lot of medals in the future and bring many laurels to our country.
Ravi: What is your philosophy in sports and life and where do you see yourself in the years up ahead?
Sharad Kumar: I feel the sky is the limit and I am confident about my skill set. For now, I would try to keep my sports as important as anything else. In the next three years, there is so much competition ahead of me, including two world championships, an Asian game, followed by the Paris Paralympic Games.
Ravi: Lastly, what message would you give to the younger generation about ethics and character?
Sharad Kumar: I think it is important that you start first and don’t ask for too much as far as facilities are concerned. Be dedicated because India is a populous country, and it’s impossible to provide everything to everyone. I see the system has changed with both the private sector and the government willing to help potential athletes. So don’t worry about that. Just come out of your house and play the sport! Be disciplined and motivated always, and do not be afraid of setting stretch goals. Also, always give equal importance to education.
