Madikeri: The tiny hilly district of Kodagu has produced best of coffee for the world and bravest of soldiers for India. The land has also produced some of the best athletes and sportsmen and surely the glimpses of this tradition will be seen at Rio Olympics as well.
Believe it or not, as many as seven young sportsmen and athletes from Kodagu will be seen at Rio Olympics in various sports tournaments.

Though a total of eleven members in the Rio contingent are from Karnataka, seven of them are from Kodagu and they are  S V Sunil, V R Raghunath, Nikkin Thimmaiah, S K Uthappa, M RM Poovamma, Rohan Bopanna and Ashwini Ponnappa.

While S V Sunil, V R Raghunath, Nikkin Thimmaiah, S K Uthappa are in the Indian Hockey team, it is the first time that four Kodavas are representing India in the hockey team. Further, it is the first time for Nikkin Thimmaiah at the Olympics while the rest will be going for the second time.

Poovamma will be taking part in 4X400 mts relay, while Ashwini Ponnappa will play doubles badminton with Jwala Gutta. Rohan Bopanna will team up with veteran Leander Paes for Men’s double and with Sania Mirza in mixed doubles.

All in all, this time Rio is something to be watched carefully for Kodavas.