Book: HEROES
Author: Thirumoy Banerjee
Publisher: Scholastic India
Price: Rs 399
Available at: Amazon (Click here) and bookstores
“Agar ye asan hota toh sab kar lete.” These words, written on the wall of wrestler Aman Sehrawat’s hostel room before the Paris Olympics, encapsulate the spirit that runs through journalist-turned-author Thirumoy Banerjee’s debut book, HEROES.
Wrestling dominated headlines in the lead-up to the 2024 Paris Olympics, though much of the attention centred on Vinesh Phogat. Aman, however, quietly pursued his own ambition. At 21 years and 24 days, he became the youngest Indian to win an Olympic medal, claiming bronze in Paris. His journey forms one of the many stories woven into HEROES.
Stories Beyond The Headlines
Published by Scholastic India, the book profiles 15 contemporary Indian athletes from a wide range of sporting disciplines, each of whom overcame formidable personal and financial obstacles on the road to success.
One athlete could not afford a proper pair of running shoes, while another trained with a bamboo stick because purchasing a sword was beyond the family’s means. These stories of perseverance form the emotional core of the book.
Banerjee also addresses questions that often remain outside mainstream sports coverage. Why do wrestlers rapidly gain weight after bouts—a factor that proved costly for Vinesh Phogat’s Olympic campaign? How do they lose several kilograms overnight before competition? Did Aman Sehrawat adopt a different approach? The book provides answers to these lesser-known aspects of elite sport.
Personal Narratives Bring Athletes To Life
The stories extend well beyond wrestling. One Aman found his way into taekwondo while trying to avoid his least favourite subject in school. Another athlete emerged from a family struggling to make ends meet. One aspiring wrestler saw life take an unexpected turn after a devastating accident and eventually became a multiple-time world record holder in javelin.
One of the book’s strengths is the extensive first-hand reporting that underpins many of its chapters. Banerjee interviewed most of the featured athletes, lending authenticity and a personal dimension to their stories.
Where The Narrative Could Go Further
Not every chapter, however, carries the same degree of intimacy. In a few cases, the narrative feels more distant, leaving readers wanting greater insight into the athletes’ experiences. Similarly, while the book discusses the challenges athletes from less-publicised sports face in securing sponsorship, it stops short of exploring how competitors in more commercially prominent disciplines such as tennis and badminton attract financial backing and at what stage of their careers that support typically arrives.
These are relatively minor shortcomings in what remains an earnest attempt to highlight athletes from sporting disciplines that seldom receive sustained public attention.
Designed For Young Readers
The book spans sports as varied as sailing, equestrian, speed skating and taekwondo. Each chapter concludes with fact boxes that explain the history of the sport, its development in India and introduce notable athletes from India and abroad, adding educational value for younger readers.
Written in clear, conversational language, the chapters remain tightly focused on their subjects while acknowledging the contributions of coaches throughout. Although the stories are deeply inspirational, the narrative avoids becoming preachy, keeping firmly in mind that its primary audience is children.
Verdict
Ultimately, HEROES chronicles the transformation of ordinary young athletes into standard-bearers for their sports. The journey comes full circle with Aman Sehrawat—from writing “agar ye asan hota toh sab kar lete” before the Paris Olympics to later admitting, “mujhe samajh nahi aa raha kya ho raha tha,” as he returned home to a hero’s welcome after winning Olympic bronze.
