Sheetal Sharma knows what it feels like to start over. She has done it before.
After an ACL injury forced her into surgery and months of rehabilitation, Sheetal made an impressive comeback and represented India again within seven months. She returned to playing at the national and state levels, took on the responsibility of captaining the Indian rugby team and continued building her career.
Then came another ACL injury. Another surgery. And another long road back. For someone who has spent nearly nine years playing rugby, walking away was never an option.
Sheetal first entered the world of sport through track and field, competing in the 800 metres and winning a bronze medal at the state level. But about nine years ago, she found rugby and what started as a new challenge soon became the sport she identified with.
“Rugby is not just a sport for me. It is my passion and my identity.”
Finding her place in Rugby
Rugby was a completely new territory for Sheetal when she started. The sport demanded a different kind of fitness and mindset from what she had experienced in athletics. Choosing Rugby meant learning how to work as part of a team, handle physical pressure and stay composed when the game became tough. She did it all with time.
The opportunity to represent India became one of the biggest milestones of her career. Sheetal went on to play in several national and international tournaments, including the 2023 Asian Games. But representing was not the sole responsibility she had on her shoulders. She also had to captain the Indian rugby team. Being a captain, she understood she would have to take responsibility of her entire team and lead from the front. It was an experience that helped her grow as both a player and a person.
Seven months to find her way back
Her first ACL injury changed the course of her career. The injury meant surgery and many physical challenges along the way. Sheetal always focused on getting back. She worked through her rehabilitation, slowly rebuilding her strength and fitness. Seven months after the injury, she was back on the stage representing India.
And that return became one of the most important moments of her career. She had already proved to herself that an injury could take her away from the field, but it did not have to keep her there.
And then, it happened again
Sheetal had to prove her strength again when she suffered another ACL injury. Once again, she had to undergo surgery, followed by rehabilitation. And once again, she had to rebuild herself.
This time, however, she knows what the road ahead looks like. She knows how demanding recovery can be. She knows that progress can be slow and that there will be days when returning to the field feels far away. But she also knows what it feels like to make it back.
Right now, her focus is on becoming stronger, both physically and mentally and preparing herself for another return to rugby.
More than an athlete
Sheetal’s journey is not only about the injuries she has overcome. It is also about everything she has achieved in between them. The biggest lesson an athlete can pass on is not how to win. It is how to begin again.
TAKEAWAYS:
- A setback can change your path, not your purpose.
- The second comeback can be harder but also stronger.
- Recovery requires patience.
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- Anita Rathi: The Woman Who Proved It’s Never Too Late to Begin
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