Priyanka Goswami: Walking her way to victory

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The 26-year-old Priyanka Goswami is the first Indian to win a medal (silver) at the Commonwealth Games, in the sport of 10,000m racewalking. Currently, she is driven to spread awareness, and ask those she meets for the first time, what they know about the sport.Generally, the response is disappointing, as India has won several medals, according to the athlete.

However, the situation is improving with several people knowing about the sportat an event to promote female athletes, hosted by HSBC bank and the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).

Priyanka is passionate about clearing doubts about racewalking, and explains, that the “weird” motion is due to the rules that require athletes to not bend their knees andalways have one foot on the ground.

There is also a requirement for the foot to land on the heel, unlike running, where athletes land on their toes. She stresses that the sport is more technical than it appears, which she discovered after her decision to pursue racewalking in 2011, over gymnastics, and other athletics events.

Moreover, every racewalker must maintain a near constant pace, which is quite challenging, such as the pace required to cover her 10km walk in 43 minutes.

Furthermore, at the CWG 2022, Priyanka’s medal at the 10km was a special achievement, as her trademark event is the 20 km racewalk (of which she is the national record holder), which was absent at this year’s event. Her spirited approach to the sport is also evident in the fact that she is already training for the postponed Asian Games, and the 2024 Paris Olympics.

With a daily routine that involves hours of racewalking, the young athlete focuses on different aspects of the sport including climbs, speed-walking, and endurance walks. This is supplemented by training on technique, as well as the “easier” sports of swimming and running. For now, this passionate youngster shows the promise of one who has – both in achievements, and distance–many miles to go.