Gold-medal winning heptathlete Swapna Barman says that she could have scored more points

Despite achieving the record of becoming the first Indian heptathlete to win a gold at Asian Games, Swapna Barman doesn’t rule out the fact that she could have given her best in some of the events.

“I could not do my best in the high jump, 200m, 100m hurdles and 800m. High jump is the event I used to do the best. But it did not happen in Jakarta. Fortunately, I did well in the javelin and that in a way compensated,” said Barman, as quoted by The Indian Express.

The 21-year old from Jalpaiguri bagged a total of 6021 points which fetched her the top prize. She also bettered her own previous record of 5942 points and she isn’t far from the national record of 6211 points which was set by JJ Shobha in 2004.

Added Barman, 6000 points is big but I could have done better. But I am happy to have won the gold in Asian Games in spite of so many injuries I have been carrying in the last one year and also during this Asian Games.”

The youngster braved an injury to her teeth, had her right cheek taped up and participated in the two-day event.

While speaking of her injury, she said, “The teeth problem arose two days before the competition and the pain was severe. I was having a slight knee injury also which I have been carrying since the Asian Championships in Bhubaneswar last year. But I never thought of dropping out of the event,”

“Subhash Sarkar sir (her coach) told me to continue and I was determined to continue,” she further added.

Barman trailed China Quiling Wang on the first day and we asked as to how she overcame the deficit, she said, “The lead (by the Chinese) was not much and so I keep trying. Then I did well in javelin and then I was leading.

“In the last event (800m), I told myself I will do whatever she (the Chinese) do and so I was not bothered about the race, I was bothered about finishing ahead of the Chinese,” Barman added.