Divya, a homemaker turned sportsperson, has not only secured several medals but also defied age barriers by continuing to excel in her sport, even after reaching the milestone of 50 years.

Divya Gautam is a homemaker and a sportsperson who joined sports in 1984 with the support of her father, who is a sportsperson himself.

Recalling her childhood, Divya shares that she entered the field of sports at the age of 12. She recalls her father waking her up at four am and accompanying her to practise sessions. Divya practised sports for two years under the guidance of Ishwar Lal Sharma, who initially taught her how to hold a bat.

Divya got married in 1992 and dedicated thirty years of her life to raising her children and fulfilling family responsibilities. She again stepped into the sports arena and was trained by Deepak Sir, who helped her improve her game.

Sharing her challenges, Divya says that restarting her journey in sports after a gap of thirty years was not an easy call for her. Nevertheless, she took the leap of faith, which proved a successful step for her.

Describing her achievements, Divya shares that she won several awards at the state and national levels after her continuous practice for two years. She went on to earn a bronze medal in a zonal tournament held at the pan-India level. Divya also earned a gold medal in the Under-16 Juniors, which was her biggest accomplishment. Even at the age of 50, she came in ninth in her game, which reignited her confidence.

Delving deeper into sports, Divya says that playing any sport requires your presence of mind, discipline, focus, and decision-making ability. She adds that if kids are put to play, they stay physically fit and also perform well in their studies. Divya says that the game of table tennis has helped her stay fit and make decisions in various areas of her life.

When asked about her take on leadership, Divya says that she believes she has those qualities as she discharges her duties as president of the residential society she lives in.

Talking about her role models, Divya says she draws inspiration from her father, who helped kick off her journey in sports. She is grateful to all her trainers and coaches who have been her motivation in her sports journey.

Divya advises sports enthusiasts to remain focused and follow the instructions of their coach.

Divya believes that there is no substitute for hard work and that if you walk consistently, you will achieve your goal in life.