Tsunami survivor Deborah is a top cyclist now

New Delhi: She was left scurrying for shelter into the forests during the 2004 Tsunami which had devastated the coasts of Andaman and Nicobar Islands but nine years down the line, Deborah has not only reshaped her life but also emerged as the country`s top cyclist.

One of India`s top cyclist, Deborah is now gearing up for the Asian cycling championship which will be hosted by the National Capital Region from March 7 to 17. "I had lost my house, my school when the tsunami hit Andaman and Nicobar island. I was in Nicobar, we had to rush into the forest to save our lives. We are four members in the family. I have a small brother," she recollects. "Government helped to rebuild our house. After that I had to cycle my way to my school. I was involved in other sports such as high jump, long jump, shot put etc but my coach Sensor told me to switch to cycling," says the 19-year-old. Deborah was training in SAI center in Andaman during her initial days but for the last eight months, she is training in the camp at Delhi after wining her first track gold in the Amritsar Nationals in January this year. "The facilities are very good here, much better than Andaman. I like it here," she says in broken hindi. Deborah had won gold medal at the Junior National Cycling Championships, besides bagging a silver in the senior category late last year. "I am preparing well and I hope to get a medal in the Asian championship," she said. The Asian cycling championship organising committee secretary Onkar Singh said: "Deborah is a wonder girl. In last eight months, she has done wonders in cycling and we are expecting a lot of good things from her in future." PTI