At 42, Abirami Manoharan is not just a mother of two. She is a cycling champion, a mentor, and a trailblazer who has redefined what it means to chase dreams against all odds. A bronze medallist at the National Championship ITT 2021 and a five-time Tamil Nadu state champion, her journey is one of resilience, courage, and self-discovery.

Married at 24, Abirami spent years as a homemaker. Life changed in 2013, after the birth of her second child, when she joined a women’s-only group ride. That single ride brought back memories of her childhood and lit a spark that would transform her life. Soon, she found herself racing and falling in love with speed.

But the road was never easy. Abirami faced separation, a stigma that weighed heavily in her circle. With no sporting background, she was constantly told, “You are a mother; you cannot achieve anything.” Yet, she refused to stop pedalling.

In 2018, just months before Nationals, two men kicked her off her cycle during training. She suffered a head haemorrhage, a broken tooth, and deep injuries. Fear loomed, but she chose to rise like a phoenix, stronger than ever.

In 2021, when the Cycling Federation of India suddenly imposed an age limit of 35, Abirami was 37. She fought back, arguing that passion and ability, not age, should decide the race. She was allowed to compete and went on to win National Bronze, missing Gold by milliseconds.

Her message is simple yet powerful: age is a mere number. With true dedication and focus, we can achieve our goals even if the entire crowd says otherwise. We have the power to write our own story. Don’t let anyone else do it for us.