SINGH Shaili

General
EYES ON HANGZHOU
Ahead of the 19th asian games in Hangzhou, People's Republic of China, she made a poster that read 'Hangzhou 2022' and placed it above the door of her bedroom in Bengaluru, India. "Last year [2022] I had wanted to qualify for the Commonwealth Games but because of my injury I wasn't at my best physically. Because of that the Asian Games are very important for me. I painted that poster last year. I want that to be the first thing I see when I wake up in the morning, so I am really focused. This year [2023], I have been able to prepare a lot better. I have built myself up very well. I'm physically stronger, but I think I am also mentally much tougher." (sportstar.thehindu.com, 22 May 2023)

EARLY DAYS
She was raised by a single mother, Vinita, who was working as a tailor. Early in her athletics career she would train barefoot. "Forget spikes, we could not even afford a pair of normal running shoes. I saw the boys in my school competing in races and thought, 'If they can, why can't I?' I started running barefoot and would often return home with blisters on my feet. My mother would weep at the sight. My mother read in the newspaper that a selection trial was being held and told me to participate if I was keen. She knew that I was interested in sports, so she always backed me." (olympics.com, 23 Aug 2021)