NAGPUR: Often in her career, the word ‘beautiful’ was associated with the way
Kadambari Chheda-Donvalkar
played. So, for a PhD holder and former Indian No. 3, when Kadambari was crowned as the new ‘
Mrs India USA Oregon 2019
’ in
Seattle
(Washington), it came as a pleasant surprise.
A perfect blend of outstanding sportsperson with alluring beauty, Kadambari recently did the country proud by winning the pageant, organised by Ravishing Women Organization.
Born and brought up in Mumbai, Kadambari is now based in Portland, Oregon (USA) after her marriage.
A contemporary of Saina Nehwal, Kadambari was ranked as high as No. 3 in India in the U-19 girls singles and No. 1 in U-19 girls doubles with her partner Sanyogita Ghorpade, around a decade ago.
As a teenager, Kadambari had won several state level and national level titles. She had also represented India at the Indonesian Open in 2008 where Saina was her teammate. During graduation, she was part of the Indian University
badminton team which participated in the 2010 World University Championships in Chinese Taipei. When Kadambari was junior India No. 3 in 2008, Saina was ranked first.
Kadambari has struck a fine balance of sports and academics by excelling in both. She is a PhD in economics and used to work as a senior research officer with United Nations (India office).
“I am very happy to win a beauty contest in the US. With this achievement, I am now qualified for the national level competition which will decide the Mrs USA. I am confident that I will do well in that pageant too and bring glory to India. I want to promote sports in big way and work with United Nations,” Kadambari told TOI on Friday.
The pageant is a part of one of the biggest pageants at the international level outside India. Ravishing Women is an organization working with vision to encourage, inspire, appreciate and empower women. Being a professional badminton player, Kadambari performed and promoted sports at the pageant.
The 29-year-old Kadambari is the current Oregon USA state women’s badminton champion. She is also the coach at the Oregon Badminton Academy in Portland (USA).