- Once struggling to pay school fees, tug-of-war gave Patil a job and family sustenance
- Patil was part of the Maharashtra contingent at the Khelo India Beach Games 2026
- Patil credits former weightlifter Madhavi Patil for supporting his career
Diu, January 13: Kolhapur’s Akshay Patil has spent nearly two decades muscling his way through adversity and sweating it out in the tug-of-war arena. His efforts did not go to waste. Patil’s career is a classic example of how sport can transform lives.
Born into a small farming family, Patil’s sporting journey began during his school days when he appeared for district-level tug-of-war trials. Selection meant his school would waive off his annual tuition fee of Rs 1,200. Patil succeeded, and that moment became a turning point in his life.
“I am associated with tug-of-war since my fifth standard. When the school waived off my tuition fees, it was a big relief to my family,” said the 29-year-old, who served as assistant coach of the Maharashtra team at the Khelo India Beach Games 2026 in Diu.
Years of perseverance paid off in 2021 when his dedication to the sport earned him direct recruitment under the sports quota as a sorting assistant in the Postal Department. Though initially posted away from home, a later transfer back to his hometown brought stability not just to Patil’s career, but to his family.
The impact was immediate and profound. Patil was able to arrange his only sister’s marriage the following year and invest in cattle to help his ageing parents set up a small dairy business.
“My parents have worked tirelessly in the fields all their lives, and now I want them to rest. The job also helped me arrange my sister’s marriage smoothly, and today I can say I am settled in life, free from financial insecurity,” said Patil, who won a silver medal at the 2012 Junior World Cup in Chennai.
A product of the government school system, Patil continued his education while competing in several state and national-level tournaments. “Even after joining service, I never stopped practising. Before that, I had already played district and state-level competitions and participated in various national competitions,” he added.
Between 2011 and 2022, Patil won two golds, four silvers and three bronze medals at the senior national championships. He credits the constant support of former weightlifter-turned-tug-of-war athlete Madhavi Patil for guiding his career.
In 2000, Madhavi quit weightlifting to pursue tug-of-war and soon became the All India Inter-University champion for four consecutive years before representing India at the Asian Tug-of-War Championship in 2004.
Now a physical education teacher and coach, Madhavi is preparing the next generation of athletes as tug-of-war—once part of the Olympic movement until 1908—eyes a return to the Summer Games.
Praising the Khelo India initiative, Madhavi said the inclusion of tug-of-war in the Khelo India Beach Games for two consecutive editions has attracted youngsters from across the country to take up the traditional sport professionally. She hopes tug-of-war will become a medal sport in the next edition.
“With proper government support, Indian tug-of-war athletes can perform very well at international events and even win medals at world championships,” she added.