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'I am preparing to fulfil my next dream of winning an Olympic gold for India. I am looking forward to train and compete in my new footwear.'
Asian Games gold medallist Swapna Barman's life is set to become a lot more easier.
Swapna, who became the first Indian to win a gold medal in heptathlon at the Asian Games held earlier this year, was born with six toes in both her feet. Her plight was highlighted after she clinched the gold medal at the Jakarta Games earlier this year.
But global sporting goods giants Adidas came to her rescue by designing customized high-performance footwear and shall be providing her with seven unique pairs, one each for the seven different events of heptathlon.
Swapna recently visited the adidas Athlete Services lab in Herzogenaurach, Germany, where a detailed footwear analysis was carried out. The customised footwear made especially for Swapna after this analysis means she will no longer have to squeeze her six toes into shoes made for five toes.
Swapna won admiration and accolades for battling physical discomfort and pain to create history at the Asian Games. Not only did her spectacular win get everybody’s attention but so did her 12 toes (six on each foot), which in spite of being a challenge, weren’t able to diminish her spirits.
'It’s an honour for any sportsperson to be associated with the adidas family. I realized my dream of winning a gold medal for India, now I am preparing to fulfil my next dream of winning an Olympic Gold for India. I am looking forward to train and compete in my new footwear and with the continued support from adidas I am sure I shall continue improving as an athlete," the champion athlete said.