Bhopal: Poonam Sharma won a silver medal in 6th senior national judo championship for differently-abled people held at Lucknow from February 1to 5. Poonam trained under coach Bittu Sharma, who is DSP (research cell trainer). Poonam who is 100 percent blind participated in first championship with only 40 days of training and won the medal. The championship was organised by National Deaf and Dumb Judo Federation.
Four players including Poonam and her brother represented the state who won five gold medals, four silver medals and eight bronze medals. They also won the overall championship award. Poonam trained herself under guidance of coach Bittu Sharma with her younger, blind brother Neeraj. Bittu Sharma’s house was converted into a training centre to train them.
Poonam is a II-year student of humanities at Government MLB Girls PG College. She will be felicitated by Governor Anandiben Patel with NP Singh Award containing a cash award of Rs 5,870 and a certificate. Coach Bittu Sharma met the children accidently. Poonam’s elder brother is a lower division clerk and once visited police headquarter for some work. During conversation, coach Sharma came to know about both the children. After meeting them, Sharma decided to train them and convinced their parents for their training.
In the beginning, it was tough to train them as it required extra care to train specially abled children. The children also had problem in travelling from their home to Ankur Sports Complex. “So, I went to pick and drop them,” said Sharma. Principal Romsa Singh said, “Poonam is a bright student who regularly attends classes. Because of her brilliant performance, we decided to give her NP Singh Award, which is given to toppers.”
