Arjuna Awardee
Divya Kakran
Arjuna awardee Divya Kakran is not a very unknown name in the wrestling world anymore.
For the past five years, the 23-year-old from New Delhi has been creating waves on the international stage.
Winning one medal in the commonwealth games, one in the Asian Games, four in the Asian Championships, and one in the Commonwealth Championship, the record of her winnings speaks for itself. However, her journey to the top was never easy, to say the least
The Hardships
Divya Kakran comes from not a very sound financial background. Her mother used to sew langots, and her father sold them at dangals to make a living.
The Kakrans had two more children, both boys who were older than Divya. Divya was fascinated with wrestling as a child after watching her elder brother participate in the sport. However, the family could only support one of their children’s wrestling goals, so her brother stepped out of sports to allow Divya to pursue her dreams.
Divya’s winnings from winning local tournaments were critical to her family’s well-being. Her family would be in financial trouble if she did not win.
When Divya first started wrestling, she received a lot of criticism. Her family, particularly her grandparents and mother, did not approve of her fighting in the mud with guys her age.
Aside from her father, many other people pressured her to stop the sport, but he remained firm behind Divya and encouraged her to pursue her aspirations. She would not have been a part of wrestling if it hadn’t been for her father.
The Rise and Winnings
Despite all the hardships and issues she fought and brought laurels to the nation by winning several international titles. A bronze at the Commonwealth games 2018, a bronze in the Asian Games, silver and bronze in the Asian Championship, and gold in Commonwealth Championship. She also has won the Bharat Kesari title in 2018, and a prestigious Arjuna Award from the Indian Government.