Shift from marathon to steeplechase was difficult, says Lalita Babar
"The shift was very difficult. Steeplechase is a technical event. Within eight months of shifting from marathon, I won Asiad bronze and it was not very easy," said 27-year-old Babar after accepting the award.
Lalita Babar emulated legendary PT Usha by being the first Indian athlete since 1984 to enter a track event final at the Olympics. The Satara-born Babar, who resides and trains in Mumbai, entered the 3,000m steeplechase final at Rio 2016 and finished a creditable 10th in nine minutes, 22.74 seconds last month.
And for this achievement, Babar was awarded the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai's Sportswoman of the Year for 2015-16 here on Saturday.
It was no mean feat considering that she shifted from competing in marathon to 3,000m steeplechase in 2014 and won bronze within eight months at the Asian Games in Incheon, Korea.
Babar, who has been busy since returning from Rio attending felicitation functions in her honour including at least three in the city on Saturday, said that the shift from marathon to steeplechase has not been easy.
"The shift was very difficult. Steeplechase is a technical event. Within eight months of shifting from marathon, I won Asiad bronze and it was not very easy," said 27-year-old Babar after accepting the award.
"Steeplechase requires a lot of endurance, speed and technique. Another very important thing is concentration. Without concentration, it is difficult to jump on water. I love steeplechase and am proud that I was the first Indian athlete to enter track event final at the Olympics after 32 years," said Babar, before hurrying from the venue as she had another felicitation awaiting her in Pune.
SJAM GOLDEN JUBILEE AWARD WINNERS 2015-16:
Sportswoman of the year: Lalita Babar (Satara, athletics)Sportsman of the year: Shardul Gagare (Ahmednagar, chess)Woman cricketer of the year: Devika Vaidya (Pune)Junior cricketer of the year: Armaan JafferSpecial performance in ODIs: Rohit SharmaRanji Trophy Cricketers of the year: Shreyas Iyer (batting) and Shardul Thakur (bowling)Cricketer of the year: Ajinkya RahaneTeam of the year: Mumbai Ranji Trophy teamClub of the year: Otters Club (for conduct of senior nationals)Association of the year: Billiards and Snooker Association of MaharashtraCollege of the year: Rizvi College of Arts, Science and CommerceSchool of the year: Bombay Scottish (Mahim)Special performance team: U Mumba (Pro Kabaddi League)Sportsperson of the year in Indian games: Abhilasha Mhatre (Kabaddi)Junior sportsman of the year: Siddhanth Banthia (Pune, tennis)Junior sportswoman of the year: Akanksha Hagawane (Pune, chess)