Swim. Score. Repeat…. Well, India’s first woman water polo coach, Sayali Gudhekar has been ‘having a ball’ in the pool since she was a little girl. She was first introduced to water as a swimmer who soon realized that playing a sport in water is even more exciting. Ever since, Sayali has only dived deeper and surfaced higher to make the country proud. A recent achievement to her name is the Indo-Sri Lanka Tri Series Championships where this young spirited woman was appointed as the Head Coach of the Indian U-21 Women’s Water Polo Team. The result: India won a gold in the Indo-Sri Lanka Championship!Humble BeginningsSayali’s connection with water began very early but it was only at 12 that she discovered water polo. A sport known for being fast, fierce and a complete team game. “What fascinated me the most was playing with the ball, the natural pressure of water and the thrill of scoring goals,” says Sayali. Little did she know that she would make a BIG SPLASH in the water polo game.Barely two years into the sport, Sayali got the opportunity of captaining India at the 5th Asian Championship in 2005 at the age of 14. Sayali says, “Re-presenting India at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou was a moment of immense pride. A dream come true!” But none of this came easy. It was dedication and years of relentless training.Water World WarriorJust like other male-dominated sports, water polo has been no exception. But Sayali had a firm resolve. Sayali says, “Carving my path in this space hasn’t been easy but I’ve always believed in showing up with a positive mindset, letting my work and performance speak louder than all the noise out there.” Sayali believes that water polo is a reflection of life — tough, relentless and unpredictable. She feels the sport has taught her a lot in life. She says, “It taught me discipline, resilience, and leadership. Most importantly it gave me a platform to evolve from a young athlete into someone leading a national team today.”From being the youngest swimmer in the pool at one time to being a coach guiding young athletes, Sayali knows the spirit of buoyancy and that sinking feeling when the going gets tough. She sees a reflection of herself in the little ones she now coaches. She says, “It’s so fulfilling to mentor young athletes who remind me of my own beginnings.”The recent victory of the U-21 Indian Women’s team at the Indo-Sri Lanka Tri Series feels like a peep into the past. She says, “I could see shades of my younger self in them, and it was beautiful.” It’s not just about winning the medal or trophy. “It is about the fire in the eyes of these young athletes, the unity and the belief.”Firm ResolveSayali continues her journey, each day reminding herself of the belief, passion, and perseverance that any sport demands. “I truly believe that hard work, resilience and kindness create a lasting impact.” She feels water polo today has garnered momentum and better visibility. Her message: “To every young girl dreaming big, your journey might be different but know that it matters. All you need to do is keep going.” After all, tiny ripples make way for big waves in life!
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