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Nayana James: Fueling Olympic Dreams with Relentless Belief

Ossie Khan

03rd June 2024 3 min read

A Big Step Towards Paris 2024

On a rainy Sunday in Taiwan, Nayana James, a long jumper from Kerala, India, made a significant stride towards her Olympic dream. She beat Asian No. 1 Sumire Hata of Japan to win the gold at the Taiwan Open. This victory, achieved under adverse conditions, symbolizes the relentless pursuit of excellence driven by what some might call a ‘wilful delusion’—a form of self-belief bordering on self-deception.

The Power of Manifestation

Nayana’s journey is a testament to the power of manifestation. Her Instagram bio boldly proclaims her as the ‘ParisOlympicsChampion2024’, a title she adopted at the beginning of 2022. This self-assigned title might have seemed overly ambitious, especially considering she was closer to quitting the sport than qualifying for the Olympics at that time.

Overcoming Adversity

Nayana’s path has been fraught with challenges, from illness-induced breaks to sponsorship struggles and moments of wavering faith. Her win in Taiwan, marked by a 6.43m jump—her best performance outside India—boosts her prospects in the Olympics qualification rankings. This triumph is a testament to her resilience and the unwavering support from her close-knit circle.

Athletic Beginnings

Nayana’s athletic journey was influenced by her family’s sports background; her mother was a state-level athlete, and her father played volleyball. Encouraged from a young age, she quickly showed promise, participating in multiple events before focusing on the long jump. The hyper-competitive school athletics scene in Kerala further honed her skills.

National Breakthrough

Nayana broke onto the national scene in 2017, pushing beyond the 6.50m mark. She won a silver medal at the 2017 Asian Championship and several domestic competitions, establishing herself as a formidable competitor. However, her momentum was halted by a severe bout of dengue fever, which posed a significant threat to her career.

A Testing Phase

Nayana’s battle with dengue and subsequent health issues tested her resolve. Her husband, Kevin Peter Oscar, a professional cricketer, recalls the ordeal and the numerous adjustments they had to make. Despite these challenges, Nayana continued to compete, although the results often fell short of her potential, leading her to the brink of giving up.

The Pandemic: A Blessing in Disguise

The COVID-19 pandemic, which brought global activities to a halt, turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Nayana. The lockdown allowed her body to recover fully, and her health improved significantly. With renewed energy, she set her sights on the Asian Games, although she faced further setbacks.

A New Beginning with Pinto Mathew

The turning point in Nayana’s journey came when Pinto Mathew, a former national 110m hurdles champion and an aspiring athletics coach, decided to train her. Pinto’s unique approach focused on optimizing her existing abilities rather than correcting her natural posture, leading to noticeable improvements in her performance.

Surging Ahead

Under Pinto’s guidance, Nayana achieved a 6.52m jump at the National Games, clinching the silver. Her performance continued to improve, culminating in a personal best of 6.67m at the Indian Open Jumps Competition. This upward trajectory surprised even her husband, who noted her newfound confidence and visualisation skills.

Unyielding Confidence

Nayana’s self-belief is unwavering. Her goal isn’t just to qualify for the Olympics but to win a medal. This confidence, reflected in her Instagram profile and daily training, drives her to aim for the Paris Games not through rankings but by surpassing the qualification mark.

Focused on Her Own Path

For Nayana, the journey is personal. She is not motivated by competition or the need to outperform others but by her desire for self-fulfillment and happiness. This individualistic approach helps her stay focused amidst the highly competitive landscape of Indian women’s long jump.

Coping with Stress

Despite her composed demeanor, Nayana is not immune to stress. She finds solace in deep cleaning her home, a habit that helps her calm her mind and maintain balance in her life.

Aiming for History

Nayana’s ultimate goal is to be a ‘history woman’, to be remembered as one of India’s top athletes. Her conviction, shared by her coach Pinto, is not just about participating in the Olympics but making a significant impact in Paris 2024.

Nayana James’ journey exemplifies how ‘wilful delusion’—the relentless belief in one’s potential—can fuel dreams and lead to extraordinary achievements. Her story is an inspiring reminder that with perseverance, support, and unshakeable self-belief, reaching for the unreachable becomes possible.

 

Source: https://sportstar.thehindu.com/athletics/nayana-james-long-jump-gold-taiwan-open-olympics-dream-wilful-delusion-illness-sponsorship-struggles-husband-support/article68242981.ece

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