Asian Games gold medalist Swapna Barman mulls retirement, says 'I'm very depressed'

After becoming the first Indian heptathlete to win an Asian Games gold in Jakarta 2018, Swapna Barman, who has six toes on each foot, struggled with injuries and won a silver at the Asian Championships in Doha a year later, which was her last international competition.

Kolkata: Battling depression due to a nagging back injury, Asian Games gold medal winning athlete Swapna Barman has decided to call it quits, a formal announcement of which will be made in a few days. The decision comes less than 24 hours after Swapna, a North East Frontier Railway athlete, won a gold medal in high jump at the 60th National Open Athletics Championships in Warangal.

"My body is not taking the toll anymore. Mentally, I'm very depressed and it's not easy," Swapna told PTI from Warangal. "I'm a bit confused, but I've mentally prepared 80-90 per cent to call it quits. I will make the 'big' announcement after reaching Kolkata."

"I never wanted to participate, but because of Railway commitments I had to participate here," Swapna, who skipped her pet heptathlon event in Warangal, said.