Coach says Swapna Barman might avoid injuries after ICF promises custom-made shoes for 12-toed athlete

CHENNAI: Soon after clinching gold in the Asian Games

heptathlon

event, Swapna Barman tweeted that pain was her best 'motivator'.


While she had a severe toothache due to an infection on the final day of the heptathlon event, she also struggled while running because of her inability to find shoes that fit an extra toe in both her feet.

"It's difficult to get shoes as I have six toes in each foot. I have to use the regular ones and they are very painful," Swapna had said after her event.

To relieve Swapna from her misery, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai has decided to sponsor custom-made shoes for her and has already consulted Nike.

"We are proud of her. ICF would like to present her with full pair of custom made shoes imported from abroad to help her do better in future," ICF general manager Sudhanshu Mani said.

Since heptathlon comprises seven different activities, it requires Swapna to use at least five different types of shoes. Mani said that ICF will arrange the complete set of shoes. "We don't know the shoe size. We are waiting for Swapna to come back and then we will get in touch with her," said an ICF official.

Swapna's coach Subhash Sarkar said that custom-made shoes will help Swapna avoid injuries.

"She often sustained knee injuries because her toes didn't fit the sole of the shoes. The agency which manages Swapna has also been trying to contact various sports shoe companies for custom-made boots. She requires size five for sprints and hurdles and 4.5 for

high jump

and javelin. Hopefully, now things will be sorted if ICF can come on board and help us," Sarkar told TOI.