RAJKOT: In the last six-and-a-half years, thousands of passengers have seen her checking their tickets at the exit gate of Rajkot railway station. But barely anyone knew that she was India's ace athlete who would go on to make the country proud in the continent's biggest athletic meet - the Asian Games On Monday, the staff of Rajkot railway division jumped with joy as young ticket checker Neena Varakil leapt to glory at the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia capital Jakarta. The 28-year-old won the silver in women's long jump by leaping 6.51 m, earning accolades from all top sportsmen and India's who's who on the micro-blogging site Twitter.Varakil got posting in Rajkot division after securing a job in the sports quota in February 2012. Recently, she even got a promotion as a senior ticket checker. In fact, her husband and coach Pinto Mathew is also posted in Rajkot division."I was given duty on the railway station instead of moving trains since I had to practice for several hours. I could achieve this only through hard work," an elated Neena told TOI over phone from Jakarta. After serving in Rajkot division for six years and six months, Neena is awaiting transfer to her home state Kerala and fully focus on her family.Rajkot divisional railway manager P B Ninave said, "We are very proud about Neena's achievement and we have extended full support to her for practice." For the last two months, Neena had been practising under Mathew, an international hurdler himself. " I used to practice hard at the loco colony athletic ground of railways in Rajkot," she said.When asked about the devastating Kerala floods Neena, a native of Meppayur in Kozhikode district, said, "I was very pained by the plight of the people in my home state. But I remained calm and did not let the calamity affect my performance.." She also won silver medal in athletic championship in 2017 and in the same year she won silver medal in Asian grand prix athletics.

Stay updated with all the Latest Rajkot headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.