BHOPAL: Due to Covid lockdown, several athletes changed their game as they could not get proper training. One such judo player from Bhopal, Shruti Bain, moved towards powerlifting and won gold medals both at district and state-level championships organised recently.
B Com student, Shruti, has been a judo player. However, due to Covid she could not get a coach and regular coaching. “There was no logic in wasting a year as my judo preparations were not up to the mark. My friends and family told me to try my luck in other games. I tried my hand in powerlifting and went on to win the gold,” said Shruti.
Asked why she chose powerlifting, Shruti said, “We do different exercises at gym and I have been doing bench press for the past few years. I found that this game would not require much coaching as I was familiar with it. Hence, I opted for powerlifting.”
She will participate in the national powerlifting championship which is to be held next month in Goa. “I am excited to participate in the national championship. Although this is my first ever national, I am keen to keep the winning performance there also,” added Shruti.
Shruti has made it clear that she won’t leave judo. “I will keep playing judo also. earlier, I was confused as to what to do but Covid has given me an opportunity to explore opportunities in other games also. Thankfully, I have won the gold medal. However, I will keep participating in judo events also,” said Shruti.
Assistant director (sports), Vikas Kharadkar said such a change of game is known as talent transfer. “Players like Shruti or others shifting to other games is nothing but talent transfer. This is a new concept which is getting famous across the world,” said Kharadkar.
Talent transfer occurs, either through an athlete seeking out opportunities for themselves or through a coach who ‘releases’ an athlete with sufficient time to try an alternative sport. The alternate sport will have similar movement skills, physiological requirements or tactical components to their earlier sport.
