Rowing champ found dead in Alappuzha

India’s top woman rower and national champion since 1997 Sobhini was found dead under mysterious circumstances at her residence at Kuttanad in Alappuzha district.

The player had allegedly consumed poison, police said.

Belonging to a farmers’ family of poor means, the 21-year-old rower was believed to have been facing financial difficulties after undergoing expensive treatment for a backbone ailment. Sobhini had been on medical leave for five months.

Sobhini has won more than 30 medals in various competitions including four international events. She had participated in the Beijing Asian Rowing Championship in 2001 and finished fourth in the Busan Asian Games.

She was selected to represent Kerala in the Pune Open Rowing Championship slated for February next year. Kerala Sports Council sources said she was awaiting the state’s cash awards worth Rs 2.5 lakh for her performance.