From the outside, Commonwealth Games medalist Tulika Maan’s Tagore Garden residence shows no sign of housing a champion. But just a few hours earlier, members of the neighbourhood had thronged the area to congratulate the 23-year-old judo silver medalist.
ASI Amrita’s colleagues in the force are Tulika’s fans too: “They are all extremely happy to hear about her win, and have even been using her picture as all their profile pictures.”
But the medalist herself is nowhere to be seen, having gone to see a physiotherapist to examine a leg injury from the Games. Her mother said ruefully, “I haven’t been able to spend much time with her yet, and she also has to go to SAI (Sports Authority of India) Bhopal tomorrow for a felicitation.”
Over the phone, Tulika told The Indian Express, “It was a great experience at the Commonwealth Games. But I never want to overreact after winning; now I have to prepare for the Asian Games.”
Tulika is not one to sit complacently on her laurels, according to her mother: “She regrets that she didn’t win the gold medal.” Tulika echoed this: “I made a mistake during a half-minute period in the fight. If not for that, it might have gone differently.”
