Tulika Mann: 7 years old when father was murdered, won silver in Judo
Story of Tulika Mann, who won silver in Judo: 7 years old when father was murdered, mother and coach's wife are Tulika's idol
Judo player Tulika Mann from Najafgarh, Delhi won a silver medal for the country in 78+ KG in Commonwealth Games. When Tulika was 7 years old, her father was murdered. After that, his mother posted in Delhi Police took care of him and his younger sister.
In an interview given to Dainik Bhaskar before going to the Commonwealth Games, Tulika Mann said, 'My mother and my coach's wife Aarti Solanki are my idol.'
He told, 'After the father was murdered in 2005, the mother took care of both of us sisters. He brought up both our sisters with great love along with duty. Mother used to drop me at the coaching center while on duty, and bring me from there while returning. He always encouraged me and never let anything be lacking.
Tulika said, 'I am also very much influenced by my coach Yashpal Solanki's wife Aarti Solanki. He is over 40 years old. they have two children. He weighed 125 kg during the Tokyo Olympics last year, but he reduced his weight to 60 kg within 6 months.
Seeing mother and ma'am, I used to think that I can do the same and win a medal for the country. When Corona could not train during the lockdown, then my weight increased a lot. Inspired by ma'am, I lost weight and returned to the sport again.
Tulika started her career to escape from the loneliness. She says, “I was young and my mother had to go on duty. In such a situation, I used to live alone in the house and my mother used to leave the door after closing the door. I used to be bored. One day my friend advised me to join this game. When I asked my mother, she said yes. Then I took judo class to pass the time. When the medals started coming, my mam Sangeeta Gupta started motivating me. After that, my mind got engaged in Judo and I thought that I have to make my career in it. Later I started going to Yashpal sir.
Tulika had said in her interview that before the fight, she likes to take bath with cold water and eat chocolates the most. She takes a bath with cold water so that her mind remains cool and she can focus on the fight. At the same time, they get energy from cocoa chocolate.
Pooja is also top in studies. He did a course in 3D animation during the lockdown caused by the Corona epidemic. His younger sister is also very ahead in her studies. Tulika told that the sister does not like judo. She also did not want her sister to come into the sport with injuries.
