When Dutee Chand was suspended by Athletic Federation of India in compliance with International Olympic Committee on the basis of female hyperandrogenism, there was one man who supported her firmly. That man changed the face of Indian Badminton and he has changed Dutee’s life too. Pulella Gopichand opened his academy doors to Dutee and also provided an immense mental support to fight against the odds.
Dutee successfully defended herself against all charges after appealing to Court of Arbitration for Sports. Dutee was left outside the purview of the hyperandrogenism policy which gave her liberty to pursue her career.
And today she proved to the world that she is an iron woman. Dutee Chand clinched silver in Women’s 100m at the Asian Games 2018. Dutee clocked 11.32 seconds, slightly below her national record of 11.29 seconds. Odiong Edidiong of Bahrain won the gold in 11.30 seconds while Wei Yongli of China took the bronze in 11.33 seconds.
India’s last medal in this event was the bronze won by Rachita Mistry in 1998 Asian Games.
