Bhubaneswar, April 4: She won three gold medals in the recently concluded 16th Para-athletics National Championship at Panchkula, Haryana, became the best sportswoman of the championship and also broke the Asian record in the 400 metres.

Born to a labourer family, poverty and disability have never been able to beat the spirit of sprinter 17-year-old Jayanti Behera, whose left hand and waist were burnt in a fire mishap when she was just one year old.

Her neighbours have never been kind to her or her family, as she had to face a lot of humiliation for her disability.

"No doubt it hurt me when people would say bad things about my disability. But I knew I had good things in waiting for me. I knew that brooding over their hate remarks would never help me. I don't run just to give those people a fitting reply, I run to win. When I am on the track, all I think about is how to improve my speed," said the elated Plus Two student.

It is probably her grit and patience that have been her key to success. Her coach Bishnu Mishra at the Gurukul sports academy where she has been training for the past four years said he always knew that she would be a champion.

"I founded this sports training centre seven years ago and many of my students have done well in state and national-level competitions. But Jayanti is unique. She always tries to overcome her disability when she is on the track and this has helped her win several honours," said Mishra.

Now that Jayanti has broken the Asian para-athletic record in 400 metres, this could be her ticket to Rio Paralympics this year.

Earlier this year, she also took part in the general category of the National School Athletics Meet at Kozhikode and won hearts for her courage.

"You have to see her to believe her. She has unbelievable energy that helps her win longer races too such as 800 metres and 1,500 metres. She has been selected for the national camp for Paralympics and then will also take part in a championship in Doha. Moreover, the deadline for the Rio selection will also be done by June," said secretary of Odisha Paralympic Association, Bishnu Charan Sahoo.

"If she gets a chance at the Paralympics, I'm sure she can get a medal for India," he said.

At the Nationals, Jayanti won the gold medals in 200 metres, 400 metres and 800 metres categories. "I hope to win medals for India," said the 'Sakhigopal Express', as she is known in Puri now.