{
  "id": 9067823,
  "title": "FPJ Exclusive | From A Small-Town Dream To Asian Games Spotlight: Pooja Danole's Journey Fueled By Family Sacrifice And Cycling Ambition",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/fpj-exclusive-from-a-small-town-dream-to-asian-games-spotlight-pooja",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-22T01:38:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/fpj-exclusive-from-a-small-town-dream-to-asian-games-spotlight-pooja-danoles-journey-fueled-by-family-sacrifice-and-cycling-ambition"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Indian cyclist Pooja Danole will represent her country at the upcoming Asian Games, embarking on a journey that has been fueled by her family's sacrifices and her unyielding ambition in the sport. Born in Kolhapur, Danole grew up in a household where sport was not just a pastime, but a way of life. Her father, a former wrestler, and her brother both found success in wrestling, making it clear that sports were an integral part of their upbringing.\n\nDanole's introduction to cycling began when her school sports teacher encouraged her to take part in a district-level competition. This initial experience ignited her passion for the sport, leading her to compete in state-level events and eventually securing her selection to the sports hostel at Balewadi, Pune. The journey from a small town dream to the international stage was not without its hurdles. Coming from a modest family, Danole faced significant challenges in terms of resources. However, her father's unwavering support and willingness to invest in her dreams, even taking a loan to purchase her first cycle, proved instrumental in her progress.\n\nIn an interview with The Free Press Journal, Danole shared the profound impact her family has had on her career. Her father never pressured her into pursuing a single sport, allowing her to try various disciplines before finding her true calling in cycling. Her mother instilled in her a fearless spirit, encouraging her to view challenges as opportunities. Moreover, her grandfather provided unwavering support, reinforcing the belief that she could achieve greatness. Danole described her family as the cornerstone of her success, giving her the freedom to choose, the courage to fight, and the belief that she could become a champion.",
  "summary": "Indian cyclist Pooja Danole is set to compete at the Asian Games, carrying with her a journey shaped by sporting roots, family sacrifices and an unwavering belief in herself. Hailing from Kolhapur, Danole grew up in a sporting family, with her father coming from a wrestling background and her brother also pursuing wrestling. Speaking to The Free Press Journal , Danole recalled how her school…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}