EXCLUSIVE: I want to prepare well and qualify for Olympics, says Shivani Charak

Sports climbing is set to make its debut at the Tokyo Olympics and Shivani, a resident of Jammu, says she will leave no stone unturned to qualify for the mega event.

Hyderabad: Shivani Charak, India's top-ranked woman sports climber has seen it all. From battling cancer at the age of nine to achieving the pinnacle as a sportswoman, her story is an inspiration.

Sports climbing is set to make its debut at the Tokyo Olympics and Shivani, a resident of Jammu, says she will leave no stone unturned to qualify for the mega event.

The 18-year-old cancer survivor shares her journey with ETV Bharat in an exclusive interview.

Excerpts:

Q. How difficult was the phase when you got to know you had cancer?

A. My family initially did not tell me about cancer. They said I am suffering from kidney stone. I was getting treatment in Jammu but the doctors later advised us to move to Chandigarh. It was then that I got to know about my disease (Cancer). I wasn't much aware of Cancer and was keeping strong. My family was supportive. But those three years were extremely difficult. I was undergoing chemotherapy and couldn't eat properly. My father and mother were always there for me.

Q. Lockdown has been difficult for everyone. What did you do to motivate yourself?

A. Being a sportsperson, we are not used to sitting at home. When I realised that lockdown will stay for an extended period of time, I started working out at home. My mother is a nurse and she used to stay at the hospital most of the time which meant, I had to do all the household chores. My father was tested coronavirus positive and I had to take care of him as well.

Q. Sport climbing is set to make its debut at Tokyo Olympics and it's a huge opportunity for you. How are you preparing for the world's biggest sporting event?

A. It's a proud moment for any sport and a big opportunity for me. I want to prepare well for the event and qualify for the Olympics.

By Monika Rani

For the full interview, click on the video embedded in the story.