PANAJI: Goan sailor Katya Coelho created history by being the first Indian to win an International medal in the IQ Foil category at the recently-concluded Pattaya International Championship, which was held from 21st to 24th July, states a press release by Goa Yachting Association (GYA).
“All this was possible only due to the help and support from our dynamic Sports Minister, Govind Gaude and the SAG officials who sanctioned her participation grants in time,” noted the GYA.
After topping the Asian Games selection trials in Mumbai in the IQ Foil Category, Katya could not continue her practice in Goa due to monsoon, so she planned for a training session in Thailand where she could pace herself against the Thai windsurfer who has qualified for Asian Games. The event also gave her an opportunity to race against the Thai competitor. Despite just training for 2 months on the Foil, Katya finished a close second.
With the Asian Games being postponed to 2023, Katya now has time on her hands to develop and hone her skills on this new equipment and be very competitive in future International events and the upcoming Asian Games. She has been selected by World Sailing to participate in the Emerging Nations training programme to be held in The Netherlands in August 2022 which will be followed by a trial qualifying event for the Paris Olympic Games 2024. Katya is keen to learn a lot at this programme and make India and Goa proud of her at the following championships, added the press communique.
