Rowing through sorrow: The rise of Rose Meril Mastica

Two days after her passing of her mother in 2023, Rose Meril Mastica made a decision that would define her resilience.

Instead of staying back with her grieving family, the 18-year-old rower packed her bags and left for Hyderabad to join India’s rowing camp for the Asian Games.

It wasn’t an easy choice.

Her mother, who had battled cancer, had wanted to see her daughter compete on the international stage.

Even in her final days, she urged Rose to keep training.

“I am alive and waiting for you to come back. Go and practice,” Rose's mother had told her.

Those words echoed in the then teenager's heart as she pushed through grief and immersed herself in training.

Though she eventually traveled to Hangzhou as a substitute, she got a front-row view of elite competition, further fueling her hunger.

A fisherman’s daughter finds her calling

Born in a humble fishing family in Kovalam, Tamil Nadu, Rose’s journey to the national stage was anything but conventional.

At 15, she was discovered by eight-time national rowing champion Bhaskar Reddy, who saw her raw potential.

She was brought to the Shri Ramachandra Water Sports Centre, where she was introduced to the world of rowing.

Just as she began training seriously, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted her progress.

But instead of giving up, Rose turned to online training and muscle-strengthening exercises. When she returned to the water a year and a half later, she was physically stronger and mentally tougher.

A supportive family

Post-pandemic, Rose’s rise was swift.

She collected 11 national medals, winning bronze at the Gujarat National Games and silver in Goa.

At the ongoing 38th National Games in Uttarakhand, she was aiming for gold but had to settle for bronze.

“The racing track here is built according to international standards. Even the umpiring is close to how it’s done on the world stage,” Rose noted.

Her success, however, has come at a heavy cost.

The family had to sell their only boat to fund her mother’s cancer treatment. And Rose’s father, now in his sixties, continues to fish everyday to support the family.

Despite financial struggles, they never discouraged Rose from chasing her dream.

But she misses them dearly.

“I miss my Appa and my two elder sisters when I am away, rowing against the tides to sustain my sport,” she admitted.

A future beyond Kovalam

While some Indian women pursue sports primarily for job security, Rose has a bigger mission.

“I want to dedicate six more years to rowing. My goal is to bring world recognition to Indian rowing and win more medals,” she said with determination.

In a small village where even passport verification is a challenge, Rose has already traveled across borders, proving that dreams have no limits.

Her journey from a grieving daughter to a fierce competitor is one of sheer grit.

“Her hunger to succeed and learn is startling. The demeanor she carries at just 20 is what I have seen make players great,” remarked Tamil Nadu’s Chef de Mission, Balaji Maradapa, at the National Games.

With every stroke she takes on the water, Rose is not just rowing—she’s rewriting her destiny.