How Guru Gopichand Helped Asian Games Silver Medallist Dutee Chand To Overcome Her Darkest Times 

Sprinter Dutee Chand has emerged as the second fastest woman in Asia. Chand, 22, won a silver medal in 100m event with a timing of 11.32 seconds in a sensational performance at the ongoing Asian Games in Indonesia on Sunday (27 August). She is also India’s national record holder in this event with a timing of 11.30 seconds.

Among those happy and proud at Chand's feat and achievement was chief national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand.

According to a Times of India report, Gopichand helped the athlete in her in tough times.

He said, "Today is an extremely happy day for me. What Dutee has achieved should be an inspiration for all athletes/sports persons. Having gone through the stresses that she has, one can only salute her spirit and determination. I am sure she will be a role model for all who want to achieve against all odds."

A big hurdle came before Chand in 2014 when she was banned on the basis of International Association of Athletics Federations' hyperandrogenism policy. Her testosterone levels were higher than the levels permitted for women athletes. Chand was thus withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow, 2014. She was suspended. She struggled to find her way ahead.

Chand challenged the policy. She argued that she "did not gain any advantage due to her condition." In 2015, the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) ruled in Chand's favour, allowing the sprinter to compete. She had a won a big fight, not only for herself, but also women athletes.

In January this year, the sprinter got a big relief, according to this report. Ahead of the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, CAS suspended the IAAF's hyperandrogenism regulations for six months.

At the 100 m dash in Jakarta, she won India's first medal in this event in 20 years. According to this report, she still stays at coach Gopichand's badminton academy in Hyderabad.