https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Sumitra_NayakSumitra Nayak - Revision history2026-09-07T19:42:23ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sumitra_Nayak&diff=161037&oldid=previmported>MaxA-Bot: Updated2021-05-12T08:39:26Z<p>Updated</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Indian rugby player}}<br />
{{Infobox sportsperson<br />
| honorific_suffix = <br />
| image = Sumitra Nayak.jpg<br />
| full_name = Sumitra Nayak<br />
| citizenship = Indian<br />
| birth_date = 8 March 2000<br />
| birth_place = Duburi, Jajpur district, Odisha, India<br />
| education = Bachelor of Arts<br />
| alma_mater = [[Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences|KISS University]]<br />
| years_active = 2007~<br />
| sport = Rugby<br />
| coach = Rudhrakesh Jana, Nasser Hussain<br />
}}<br />
'''Sumitra Nayak''' (born 8 March 2000) is a female rugby player from [[Jajpur]], [[Odisha]], India.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|title=सुमित्रा नायक: रग्बी के लिए जिन्होंने मैदान और उसके बाहर संघर्ष किया|language=hi|work=BBC News हिंदी|url=https://www.bbc.com/hindi/sport-55676357|access-date=2021-02-17}}</ref> She has won medals for India and played a crucial role in the country's bronze medal win in the 2019 Asian Women Championship by scoring a penalty kick in a closely-fought match against Singapore.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Sportstar|first=Team|title=Asia Rugby Championships: India women claim first-ever test match victory|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/rugby/asian-rugby-women-championship-india-wins-third-beats-singapore-sumitra-nayak-penaltyvahbiz-bharucha-world-cup/article28109526.ece|access-date=2021-02-17|website=Sportstar|language=en}}</ref><br />
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== Personal Life and background ==<br />
Nayak was born on 8 March 2000 in Duburi village of [[Odisha]]'s [[Jajpur district]]. However, her mother was abused by her father decided to migrate to [[Bhubaneswar]] with her kids when they were very young. Nayak's father had once attempted to burn the family alive after confining them in their house. Her mother had to work in other people’s houses to raise her children.<ref name=":0" /><br />
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In Bhubaneswar, Nayak joined the [[Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences ( K.I.S.S )]] that provides free education and sports training to tribal children.<ref name=":0" /> She is presently an undergraduate student at the institute.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Meet Sumitra Nayak. Escaped Abuse To Lead India Rugby Team - SheThePeople TV|url=https://www.shethepeople.tv/news/odisha-sumitra-nayak-lead-indian-team-asia-rugby/|access-date=2021-02-17|language=en-US}}</ref> Nayak started playing rugby at KISS in 2008 although her mother was reluctant to let her play.<ref name=":0" /><br />
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Nayak now teaches rugby to girls at KISS and in her village. She had also delivered a [[TED (conference)|TEDTalk]] in [[Pune]].<ref name=":2" /><br />
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== Professional career ==<br />
Nayak trained under coach Rudhrakesh Jena at [[Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences ( K.I.S.S )|KISS]]. Following her state-level debut in 2012, she participated in the under-13 Women's Rugby World Cup in 2014. She also participated at the National School Games and the National Championships. She was instrumental in India's bronze medal win at the 2016 Asian Girls Rugby Sevens (U-18) in Dubai. In 2018, she was appointed the skipper of India's under-18 rugby team.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Odisha CM Congratulates Rugby Player Sumitra Nayak For Selection In Indian Team|url=https://odishabytes.com/odisha-cm-congratulates-rugby-player-sumitra-nayak-for-selection-in-indian-team/|url-status=live|website=[[Odishabytes]]}}</ref><br />
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In June 2019, she played an important part in India's first ever international victory in 15s. Nayak kicked a penalty in the last moments of the game against Singapore, which helped India win the bronze medal at the Asia Rugby Women's Championship, apart from earning its first win in the 15s format.<ref name=":1" /><br />
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Nayak was part of the Indian senior team that won the silver medal in the Asia Rugby Sevens Trophy in [[Jakarta]] in August 2019. She also led India's team at the Asia Rugby U-20 Women's Seven Series in [[Laos]] in the same month.<ref name=":2" /><br />
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[[Odisha]] Chief Minister [[Naveen Patnaik]] had congratulated Nayak on her selection to the Indian team for the [[Asia]] Rugby Unstoppable meet.<ref name=":3" /><br />
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== References ==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Nayak, Sumitra}}<br />
[[Category:Sportswomen from Odisha]]<br />
[[Category:2000 births]]<br />
[[Category:Indian rugby sevens players]]<br />
[[Category:Living people]]<br />
[[Category:Female rugby union players]]</div>imported>MaxA-Bot