Coming for a family of labourers, the path to prominence and repute hasn't come easy for the 24 year-old. Born to?Unnikrishan & Vasantha Kumari, the track and field athlete has fought all odds to win many state, national and international school meet gold medals, in middle and long-distance track events.
Getty Images
The road to here has been tough though. There were times when ChitraĄ¯s parents failed to find any work and the family of six survived on leftovers. Some nights, she went to bed on an empty stomach, but that did not deter her from waking up at 5.45 am the next day for the physical education class at her government school.
She was determined and focused on changing her family's fortunes. The adversity?was what motivated her to strive and fight for her dreams. It can never be easy in these kind of situations, but Chitra has shown great character to overcome all obstacles.?
In 2016, Chitra,?who specialises in the 1500m distance, won her first gold at the highest level after sprinting to win in the South Asian games. After a maiden gold at the international?stage, she followed it up with another two in 2017.?
Getty Images
In 2018, at the Asian Games the Kerala native showed great spirit to strom her way to a bronze medal. It was another feather in a promising career that is on its way up.?
The current year has been synonymous with success again as Chitra won gold at?Asian Athletics Championships in Doha. It was another remarkable display by the young prodigy who is fast becoming one of India's fines ever sprinters.?
Getty Images
She will be looking to continue her good run of form in 2020 and better her medal tally of 2017
It has been quite an adventure - from fighting poverty to winning big medals for the country - P.U. Chitra is aspiring and inspiring us all.?