HYDERABAD: Making her country proud is the dream that drives this karate kid. All of 17, the odds have always been stacked up against Telapoopdi Vennela. But it hasn't stopped her from trying. Recently, the girl from Khammam won gold at the 3rd Asian Karate Championship. She now wants to be the Nikhat Zareen of karate in Telangana.
But like many poor sportspersons from across the country, money has become the biggest hurdle for this daughter of a poor dalit farmer in pursuing her passion to be a champion.
Vennela, who has also won silver medal at an international event in Malaysia, is a second year commerce student at Palwancha's Residential (Gurukul social welfare) Degree College.
The journey so far has been hard for her and her family. Vennela has two siblings - a brother and sister - and her father, Telapoopdi Bhaskar, is a tenant farmer.
Despite debts and meagre income, Bhaskar, who is also trained in karate, has been trying his best to help his daughter's efforts. He first noticed his daughter's talent when she began learning karate during the summer vacation when the college organised free classes for students.
"I took a loan of Rs 1 lakh to send her to participate in the international karate championship last year. She did not disappoint and won a silver medal. Now, she needs more support which I cannot afford," Bhaskar said.
College principal Dr Sneha Latha added, "We never expected that she would win medals after we had introduced her to karate classes. We are doing whatever we can do."
Vennela told TOI, "I am encouraged by my teachers. I am confident that I can do very well in future, winning more medals at any level." Apart from sports, Vennela has a good academic record too. "After sports I want to take civil service exam and become an IPS officer," she said.
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