Two-time Olympian Rahi Sarnobat has emerged more courageous after battling health issues and eyeing glory at LA 2028.
“This dream has been planted in my system for a reason. This is not about proving to the world. I am more courageous as there is nothing to lose. I want to be remembered as a person who made things happen,” Rahi said in a House of Glory podcast, an initiative by Hyderabadi and London Olympics bronze medallist Gagan Narang Sports Foundation.
Sarnobat’s health started in 2022 with the Olympian facing hot flashes and nerve pain. She continued to feel sensations all over her body, causing tremendous pain.
Initially, she found it difficult to find the correct diagnosis.
“We did not know which doctors to go to – we did ECG, cardio testing, routine tests – but everything was fine. Still, I was feeling terrible. I started feeling my neck pain, that I could not lie on bed and I had to sit and sleep for months. My medical team suggested consulting a neurologist,” Rahi revealed .
The neuropathic pain was scarier as it forced her to sleep for 20 hours in a day.
“Neuropathic pain syndrome has no fixed pattern and no fixed line of treatment. It depends on case-to-case, and the medical history of every person. It makes it even more scary,” the pistol shooter said.
“I was sleeping for 17-20 hours for months. I was just staring at the ceiling for months. I could not live my normal life. I felt fear about being uncertain. You don’t know when the incident just happened for
certain months,” Rahi said.
“After a few months, the neurologist told me that I need to start physiotherapy despite the pain. My first exercise was sitting for 20 minutes and watching an episode of a TV show. I was even unable to do so due to immense fatigue. The physiotherapist worked with me several hours a day,” she added.
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