Asian Games Bronze medallist Nandini Agasara has hit back at Swapna Barman after she sparked controversy with sensational allegations. After losing the bronze medal to Agasara, Barman claimed that she lost out on a bronze medal in the women’s heptathlon competition of the ongoing Asian Games to a “transgender” athlete.
Nandini won the bronze medal in the women’s heptathlon at Asiad, while Swapna failed to defend her crown and had to settle for the fourth position.
Barman sparked a controversy with his explosive post on social media alleging that she lost the medal to a transgender athlete. “I have lost my Asian Games bronze medal to transgender women at the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China. I want my medal back as it is against the rules of our athletics. Help me and support me please. #protestforfairplay,” she had posted, but deleted it later.
China’s Ninali Zheng won the gold medal in women’s heptathlon event after collecting a total of 6149 points. Ekaterina Voronina of Uzbekistan took the silver with 6056 points.
Meanwhile, Nandini has asked her to show the proof and said she will take up the issue with Athletic Federation of India (AFI).
“I know what I am. Ask her to show proof. I will also show that I have won the medal for India. I only want to do well for the country. Now we have won, so people have started talking about it. I will take up this issue with AFI for sure. I wanted to enjoy the moment of winning the medal but going back to India as my mother is not well,” said Nandini.
Nandini aggregated a total of 5712 points, a personal best. She topped the final event of the heptathlon, the 800m race, to ensure a spot on the podium, ahead of Barman.
Besides the 800m event, Nandini also won the 200m race, that earned her 936 points.
As per the rules of World Athletics, which came into effect from March 31 this year, every single athlete who has gone through what has been defined as ‘male puberty’ by World Athletics is barred from competing in female world ranking events.
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