Hyderabadi sailors Suragani, Lahari in cruise mode
Two teenage sailors from Telangana, Suragani Eswa and Kommaravelly Lahari, have emerged as strong Asian Games 2026 prospects after winning YAI selection trials, showcasing how institutional support and grit can transform lives.
Hyderabad: Fourteen-year-old Suragani Eswa from rural Chilukuru in Telangana lost her father in a tragic accident in 2017. Her mother, Madhavi, a daily wage labourer earning Rs.300 per day in addition to a widow pension, took the bold decision to enrol her daughter in the Mahatma Jyothiba Phule Telangana Backward Classes Welfare Residential School.
That decision proved to be a game-changer for the spirited Suragani, now a Class IX student, as she was soon introduced to sailing through a structured training programme supported by the MJPTBCWR Society at the Yacht Club of Hyderabad.
Initially hesitant, Eswa was encouraged by mentors and administrators to persevere, an intervention that proved life-changing.
“In less than nine months of training, Eswa delivered extraordinary results, including gold medals at the YAI Asian Games Selection Trials in 2025 and 2026 in the 29er Girls category. These victories have placed her on the pathway to represent India at the Asian Games 2026,” said Suheim, mentor and high performance director at the Yacht Club of Hyderabad.
“Suragani’s journey powerfully demonstrates how institutional support, mentorship and timely opportunity can unlock exceptional talent, turning a story of loss into one of national promise and inspiration,” he added.
Kommaravelly Lahari, a 15-year-old sailor from a marginalised family and a student of Udbhav School, Rasoolpura, Secunderabad, is another example of how resilience and opportunity can transform lives. Originally from Siddipet district, her family migrated to Hyderabad in search of livelihood. With her father unable to work due to prolonged ill health, the responsibility of supporting the family fell on her mother, Kavitha.
“In 2022, at just 11 years old, Lahari was introduced to sailing, a moment that redefined her future. Despite financial struggles, she displayed exceptional discipline, focus and passion from the outset. Her talent quickly translated into results. Lahari won gold medals at her first two national championships in 2022 and has since secured six gold, four silver and three bronze medals in 19 national events,” Suheim said.
“To date, Lahari has represented India in five international championships and secured first place in both YAI Asian Games Selection Trials, firmly placing her on the pathway to the Asian Games 2026,” he added.
With Lahari as skipper and Eswa as crew, the duo won the selection trials and are on course to represent India at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, subject to strong performances in the international circuit at venues across the world.
“I must thank Ganapathy Kelapanda, India’s top skiff sailing Olympian, who put them on this path to success,” Suheim concluded.
