Nethra Kumanan: Breaking Barriers as India’s First Female Sailing Olympian
Nethra Kumanan-Olympian has etched her name in Indian sporting history as the first Indian woman to qualify directly for the Olympics in sailing.
Born on August 21, 1997, in Chennai, her journey to this monumental achievement began at a summer camp organized by the Tamil Nadu Sailing Association in 2009.
At just 12 years old, Nethra was exploring various sports, including tennis, basketball, and cycling. However, it was sailing that captured her heart and set her on an extraordinary path.
Breaking New Ground in Indian Sailing
In a country where sailing remains relatively obscure, Nethra Kumanan’s accomplishments are nothing short of groundbreaking. Her qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics marked a significant milestone.
Unlike her predecessors, who secured Olympic spots due to unfilled quotas or moving up from waiting lists, Nethra earned her place outright by leading the 10-race series at the Mussanah Open Championship in Oman in April 2021. Her performance was so dominant that she all but secured her spot before the final day of the Asian qualifiers.
Early Achievements and Challenges
Nethra’s international sailing career began in Mussanah, where she first competed in an Under-21 event in 2013. Racing in the Laser Radial category, a single-handed, dinghy-style boat, she quickly made her mark.
Her first major international success came in January 2020 when she won a bronze medal in the second round of the Hempel World Cup Series in Miami. Despite her remarkable achievement, Nethra’s humility shone through as she muted her celebrations out of respect for her roommate and friend, Matilda Talluri of Italy.
Olympic Journey
Qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics was a dream come true for Nethra, but the journey was not without its challenges. At the Games, she finished 35th overall in the women’s laser radial after 10 qualifying races, with her best finish being 15th in the third race.
Reflecting on her performance, Nethra remarked, “It’s been a tough event, but I’m happy to have brought some attention to the sport in the country. I take from it what I can and try to come back better.”
Inspiration and Support
Nethra’s journey has been supported by her family, particularly her father, VC Kumanan, who runs an IT company. He has been instrumental in providing analytical support and data crunching to help her improve.
Her younger brother, Naveen, inspired by Nethra, also took up sailing at the national level before pursuing his education in Michigan.
Training under Hungarian coach Tamas Eszes, a two-time Olympian, Nethra honed her skills in Gran Canaria, Spain. Eszes praised her attitude and personality, stating, “She is a tough girl… It’s easy to work with strong-minded athletes.”
The Path Ahead
Nethra’s determination and passion for sailing have paved the way for her to represent India at the Paris 2024 Olympics. At the Last Chance Regatta in France in April 2024, she secured a quota for India in the women’s dinghy category through the Emerging Nations Programme route. This achievement makes her the first Indian woman sailor to qualify for multiple Olympic Games.
Nethra Kumanan finished Race 1 6th 🇮🇳♥️
Incredible performance by her ….!!! 👏👏👏
Race 2 is also postponed to tomorrow https://t.co/naGprQJfI9 pic.twitter.com/IazfPEbI96
— The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) August 1, 2024
A Trailblazer for Indian Sailing
Nethra Kumanan’s journey is a testament to her dedication, discipline, and hard work. From her early days of learning Bharatanatyam, an Indian classical dance that instilled values of discipline and perseverance, to becoming a trailblazer in Indian sailing, her story is inspiring.
“Most people don’t know sailing exists in India,” Nethra once said, highlighting the unique challenges she faced. Yet, her love for the sport and her relentless pursuit of excellence have brought sailing into the limelight in India.
As she prepares for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Nethra continues to inspire a new generation of sailors. Her message to aspiring athletes is clear:
“This sport takes a lot of time, a lot of hours in the water, but it’s all worth it. You get to travel the world, meet people from different countries, and experience them trying to do their best while you try to do better than them.”
Nethra Kumanan’s journey is far from over, and her impact on Indian sailing will be felt for years to come.
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