The pained voice choked with emotions of the past two years is slowly but definitely giving way to a chirpy outlook. Shame, humiliation and lost time will ensure life is never the same for Ashwini Akkunji, but come Wednesday she will look to put behind the ghosts of the past 24 months and start afresh.
The 2010 Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, who went from being the toast of the nation to the shame of the country after failing a dope test in 2011, completes her two-year ban period on Wednesday.
Ashwini and five other athletes Mandeep Kaur, Sini Jose, Tiana Mary Thomas, Priyanka Pawar and Juana Murmu were banned after testing positive for steroids.
Away from the spotlight, the 25-year-old leggy Mangalore lass has been training for the past seven months at the NIS facility in Patiala. Aided by the workout notes from her sunshine days, she’s been training by herself, with the hope and determination of reshaping her once blooming career. “The past two years have been hell. Mentally, it was extremely draining, but then I always knew I belonged on the track and I’ll come back,” Ashwini told this newspaper.
With numerous case hearings and training facility available only at Patiala, Ashwini has been on unpaid leave with her employers Karnataka Bank.
“I know it’s not going to be easy. I have been without competition for over two years and practiced alone. Also, I’m aware of the fact that people will look at me differently now. I’m prepared for all the tribulations that come with the comeback.”