Mysore :

The girl who ran barefoot at the 48th Karnataka State Cross Country Championship organised by Mysore District Athletic Association at the Chamundi Vihar Stadium emerged victorious.

M. Manjula, a native of Kurubur in T. Narasipur Taluk, ran the 4-km run for girls in U-18 category, bare foot and emerged victorious.

The race witnessed athletes from various districts across the State participating in the event wearing sports shoe but Manjula was a lone athlete who ran barefoot. Though she ran barefoot Manjula was faster than the other athletes.

Apart from the prize announced, she was also given a pair of shoes and other sports items by the Athletic Association.

A few people who saw Manjula running barefoot had doubted about her completing the run. But Manjula proved them wrong by winning the race. Manjula hails from a poor background. Mahadevaswamy, her father, is a farmer and Madalambike, her mother, is a home-maker. She has been practicing for the past 7 years and yesterday was Manjula’s first ever participation in the cross country championship.

MLA Vasu, who is also the President of Mysore Athletics Club, apart from handing over the shoe and other items, also gave her the prize money.

District In-charge Minister V. Sreenivasa Prasad, Youth Empowerment and Sports Minister Abhaychandra Jain and Co-operation Minister Mahadevaprasad also lauded Manjula for her achievement.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / December 15th, 2013