Nethra Kumanan: From National Champion to Olympic Hopeful

Nethra Kumanan: The Rising Star of Indian Sailing

Nethra Kumanan, a talented sailor and engineering student at SRM College in Chennai, has been making waves in the world of sailing. With two national championships under her belt and multiple podium finishes, Nethra has proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with on the water.

Inspired by her father VC Kumanan, who has been her biggest supporter and mentor, Nethra has dedicated countless hours to training and perfecting her craft. Her hard work and determination paid off when she secured a spot at the India International Regatta in 2014, marking her first international podium finish.

Not only has Nethra excelled in her own sailing career, but she has also inspired her younger brother Naveen to follow in her footsteps. While Naveen initially competed at the national level, he eventually chose to pursue his education in Michigan, leaving Nethra to carry on the family legacy in sailing.

Ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, Nethra trained rigorously in Spain with coach Tamas Eszes, a former Olympian himself. Although she finished 35th overall in the women’s laser radial event, Nethra remains optimistic and determined to improve for future competitions.

Recently, Nethra secured a quota for India in the women’s dinghy category for the Paris 2024 Olympics, making her a trailblazer for Indian women in sailing. If she qualifies for the Summer Games, Nethra will become the first Indian woman sailor to represent India in multiple Olympic Games.

With her unwavering dedication and passion for the sport, Nethra Kumanan is undoubtedly a rising star in Indian sailing. Her journey is far from over, and fans can expect to see even greater achievements from this talented young athlete in the years to come.