Indian martial arts athlete Rohini Kalam, who represented the country in the Asian Games, was found dead at her home in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh. Police believe the 35-year-old athlete died by suicide, though an investigation is ongoing.
Rohini Kalam’s Tragic Death Shocks the Sports Community
According to local police, Rohini Kalam was discovered hanging in her room on Sunday morning. Her family immediately rushed her to a nearby hospital, where doctors confirmed her death.
Her younger sister, Roshni, told investigators that Rohini had been working as a martial arts coach at a private school in Ashta. She had returned to her family home in Dewas over the weekend to spend time with relatives.
“On Sunday morning, Rohini had breakfast as usual, went to her room while talking on the phone, and locked the door,” Roshni said. “When she didn’t respond after some time, we broke the door open and found her hanging.”
Possible Reasons Behind the Suicide
Family members revealed that Rohini had been struggling with work-related stress and personal issues, including repeated marriage proposals being rejected. These challenges had reportedly affected her emotional well-being.
Roshni also mentioned that her sister seemed visibly upset after a recent phone call and suspected that Rohini was being harassed by her school principal.
“The tone of her voice suggested she was under pressure,” Roshni told police. “It felt like someone from her workplace was troubling her.”
Authorities are now investigating the harassment allegations, while a post-mortem report is awaited to confirm the exact cause of death.
Police Confirm Initial Findings
According to Dewas Police, the early evidence suggests a case of suicide, though no suicide note has been recovered so far.
“Our preliminary investigation indicates that it was self-inflicted,” a police official said. “We are examining her phone records and questioning those close to her.”
At the time of the incident, only Rohini and her sister were at home. The family has urged the authorities to conduct a fair and thorough investigation into the matter.
A Career Marked by Dedication and Achievement
Rohini Kalam was a respected ju-jitsu (ju-jutsu) athlete who represented India in multiple international competitions. She notably won a bronze medal for India at the 8th Asian Ju-Jitsu Championship in Abu Dhabi, earning recognition for her skills and commitment to the sport.
Her sudden death has left the Indian sports community in shock, with several athletes and fans expressing grief and calling for more mental health support for sportspersons.
A Call for Mental Health Awareness in Sports
Rohini’s passing has once again brought attention to the growing mental health challenges faced by athletes. Despite their achievements, many struggle with stress, career uncertainty, and workplace pressure.
Experts believe that sports organizations must take more active steps to provide emotional and psychological assistance to athletes, ensuring that tragedies like this can be prevented in the future.
