A 17-year-old teenager hailing from Chennai’s Kannagi Nagar has brought glory to the state by clinching a Gold medal at the Under 18 Asian Games in Bahrain. Karthika, serving as the vice captain of the Kabaddi team, led her team to victory against Iran with a remarkable scoreline of 75-21.
Karthika’s achievement is especially significant as she proudly hails from Kannagi Nagar, a residential area established as part of a slum clearance initiative in the capital city. Despite the area’s negative reputation due to criminal activities following the relocation of residents from various slums, Karthika’s success and determination have shifted perceptions about Kannagi Nagar.
Expressing her joy at winning the gold for her country, Karthika shared, “I’m thrilled to have won this medal in Bahrain, representing Kannagi Nagar for the first time. It was my dream to bring home a medal for India, and I am overjoyed to have achieved it.”
Udhayanidhi Stalin, the deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu, commended Karthika and Abinesh Mohandhas, a member of the men’s team that also secured a gold medal in Bahrain. Stalin expressed pride in the Indian Kabaddi teams’ success at the 3rd Asian Youth Games and highlighted the remarkable journey of Karthika and Abinesh, emphasizing their dedication and hard work in reaching such heights.
Furthermore, Leader of Opposition Edapadi K Palanisamy extended his congratulations to both the men’s and women’s kabaddi teams for their victories in Bahrain. He specifically praised Karthika and Abinesh for bringing honor to Tamil Nadu and India through their outstanding performances, urging the state government to reward and motivate these young achievers for their accomplishments on the global stage.