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An important aspect of my success that I will always cherish is that my parents and
family were able to experience these moments with me. My parents Shive Gowda and
Vijaya were always my biggest supporters, and I would not have been able to reach the
top without them. My dad was there in Delhi when I had my first major international
breakthrough at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. My parents, brother, and several other
family members were able to attend the 2012 London Olympics. Additionally, my father
was there when I won Gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Even though
these events happened several years ago we reminiscence about them and treasure
those memories.

After competing in four Olympics and coming to the end of my professional track
and field career, I quickly recognized the importance of preparing for the next phase of
my life. I realized the same skills that allowed me to be successful in sports can also be
used in the business world and life in general. This revelation along with my cultural,
educational, and professional background led me to the conclusion that obtaining my
MBA would help me bridge the gap to the next phase of my career. I am presently working
towards my MBA at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

In conclusion, in my experience working hard, staying humble, continuing to learn, and
developing strong relationships put you in the best situation to succeed. Even though
implementation of these skills does not always guarantee success, I feel that it put me
in the best position to win.

Receiving the Padma Shri Award by Vikas Gowda participating in an
President Pranav Mukherjee in 2017 International Meet

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