Hyderabad’s ‘gritty sailor’ Preethi Kongara discusses Asian Games 2023 & more

Hyderabad: Preethi Kongara has qualified for Hangzhou Asian Games 2023. Preethi Kongara is unquestionably destiny’s child. After joining the Naandi Foundation’s Nanhikali program for female children, she was chosen in 2016 to sail at the YCH Foundation, the former Yacht Club of Hyderabad, and quickly climbed to become India’s under-15 National Sailing Champion.

Suheim Sheikh, a coach, and mentor of the YCH Sports Foundation said she is the grittiest sailor they have ever had and has the spirit of a winner.

Preethi started training in 2020 on the mixed-doubles class of boats with the Asian Games 2022 in mind but failed to qualify and placed 4th in India.

She had a setback with a bout of chickenpox before the selection trials but recovered and finished at the top with a significant lead to qualify for the Asian Games. She continued to practice hard with her crew and finished with a winning streak. She is now Hyderabad and Telangana’s first-ever female sailor to qualify for the Asian Games, thanks to the Naavika program at the YCH Sports Foundation.

Preethi Kongara of YCH and Sudanshu Shekhar of the Indian Navy will embark on an international circuit leading up to the Huangzhou Games in China. Preethi is a master sailor in lighter winds and plans to work hard on her fitness and weight to prepare for the heavier winds expected at the games. The YCH Foundation provided Preethi with a new boat from New Zealand and intensive coaching with her crew in Bombay. The sailing venue will be the Ningbo Xiangshan Sailing Centre.

Here is what she had to say about her journey, her likes and dislikes, and what it’s like being the first-ever female sailor to qualify for the Asian Games.

Newsmeter: How did it feel qualifying for the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023?

Preethi Kongara: I am very happy and excited because this has been a short-term goal for a while and I have achieved it. The next step would be to bag a medal at the Asian Games.

NM: What is the Nanhikali program by Naandi Foundation?

Preethi Kongara: While I was studying in a government school at Nalagunta, the Nanhikali program provided us with tuition and it was what got me into sailing.

NM: How did you prepare to become India’s National Sailing Champion?

Preethi Kongara: I started off with under-17 boats and finished in 2019 after which I started preparing for under-18. While I was preparing, I got a chance to compete in the Olympic-class boat 470 that I started in 2020.

NM: How did it feel having a setback because of chickenpox?

Preethi Kongara: I was very worried about my second trial because I had worked very hard the last 15 days. I thought I wouldn’t be able to perform but thankfully, I recovered in just five days. It was quite tough because I was very weak because of chicken pox but I managed to bag silver.

NM: How do you plan to prepare for heavier winds expected at the games?

Preethi Kongara: Currently, I’m focusing on staying fit and eating healthy. My diet consists of a lot of protein. I eat a lot of chicken and leafy vegetables and drink a lot of milk.

NM: What do you like to do apart from sailing?

Preethi Kongara: I love listening to music and watching Telugu movies.

NM: Are your studies affected and how do you cope?

Preethi Kongara: I don’t think my studies get affected because I always attend my online classes. The only time I’m on leave is when I have a championship but otherwise, I focus on both sailing and my studies.

NM: What is your favorite movie?

Preethi Kongara: I love the movie ‘Son of Satyamurthy.’

NM: Your favorite food?

Preethi Kongara: Like almost every other Hyderabadi, I love chicken biryani.

NM: Your favorite song?

Preethi Kongara: I mostly listen to Allu Arjun’s songs. He is my favorite actor.

NM: Do you spend time on social media?

Preethi Kongara: No, not much because I am not very interested in social media.