At 47, she is creating ripples in swimming pool

Mandya woman makes it to int'l event in New Zealand

Most of her peers would prefer running on treadmills to burn that excess sugar in the blood or wrapped in their mufflers take a stroll or two in the mornings and evening. But Sapna Benji, who is on the wrong side of 40s, is making ripples in swimming pools.

The gritty woman from Sugar Town has earned a place to compete in international swimming competition in New Zealand next year by virtue of her solid performances in the domestic competitions.

The student of St John’s School, Sapna took to table tennis early in her life. She had made a mark in the sport at the school and the college levels. Sapna, however, couldn’t pursue the sport after her marriage. Severe back pain four years back turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Sapna.

After staying away from competitive sports for well over a decade, she took to swimming following an advice by a doctor.

Sapna started taking part in local swimming competitions. Soon, she started making ripples in the pool, of course in masters category. Sapna won gold medal in the state-level swimming competition in 2016. She is now training hard under the watchful eyes of her coach Girish for the upcoming nationals masters in Secunderabad, this October.

Sapna hopes to do well at the nationals and gain that much-needed confidence going into the coveted event in New Zealand, next year.