Nineteen-year-old athlete
The achievement was met with enthusiastic cheers from a dedicated group of supporters who had traveled from her village, joined by well-wishers from Chennai. For Birda, the record-breaking jump represents the culmination of a unique sporting journey that began far from the pole vault pit, rooted in a background that initially saw her explore kabaddi and track hurdles before finding her niche in the technical discipline of vaulting.
From School Punishment to National Success
Birda’s athletic potential was first identified by her mentor, Ram Nivas Sahu, a government school teacher. Her introduction to competitive sports was unconventional; Sahu noticed her natural speed after she was sent on a school-mandated run as a form of punishment. Recognizing her raw talent, Sahu guided her transition into athletics, though the path to pole vaulting was entirely self-taught in the early stages.
With limited resources, Sahu and Birda turned to online tutorials to master the basics of the sport. The endeavor eventually gained momentum through the support of IAS officer Nidhi Chaudhari and the Mumbai-based Parmarth Seva Samiti, which provided essential equipment valued at ₹10 lakh. This support allowed Birda to refine her technique and overcome the physical challenges of the sport, including multiple injuries that she noted made the climb to her current 3.91m record a lengthy process.
Looking Toward a Senior Career
Currently training in Haryana under the guidance of Captain Ramdari Singh, Birda credits her family for their unwavering support throughout her development. Coming from a farming background, she highlighted the encouragement of her parents as a driving force behind her success. Her coach, Captain Singh, remains a central figure in her daily training regimen, overseeing both her technical progression and her physical recovery.
Reflecting on her performance, Birda expressed her ambition to carry this momentum into the senior level next year. Her mentor, Sahu, remains optimistic about her future, stating his belief that she is capable of securing an international medal for India. As she moves past this significant milestone, the young athlete appears well-positioned to continue her progression on the national stage.
