Tamilkani is all smiles. The recent victory at the International Open Fencing Tournament at Thailand, where she won the bronze medal, has given her the much needed encouragement to pursue her dreams.

A native of Namakkal, Tamilkani has made Coimbatore her home. This 21-year-old engineering student of the Government College of Technology was in news recently when she received funds from Social Capital, an initiative launched by Coimbatore Corporation to support the deserving individuals to pursue their dreams. Tamilkani was handed over a demand draft of 86,500 to participate in the tournament.

“I used the funds to register for the tournament, food, accommodation and travel. I am very happy that I won the bronze medal and I am thankful to Social Capital.” Tamilkani says.

She was introduced to fencing while she was 13 by her coach E. Ramaswamy. A student of Selvam Higher Secondary School, Namakkal, Tamilkani found it difficult to participate in tournaments due to lack of funds, “I owe this success to my coach,” she beams with pride.

Prior to receiving the funds, Tamilkani would spend the evenings practising for the tournament and hoping that a good Samaritan would sponsor her. And it did not go in vain.

“My dream is to represent India in Olympics,” she tells this reporter.

Tamilkani, who has bagged three gold, two silver and two bronze medals at the national level, says she she wants to take up sports as a profession. “I want to pursue in this field and coach as many children as possible,” she says.