Growing up in India, all Sangeetha Manoharan wanted to do was play. Sports are what made her feel healthy and whole, regardless of what the rest of society felt about girls playing outside with the boys. While studying in university, she discovered ultimate Frisbee, and just a few years later, with a group of people who would become friends, teammates, and members of Chennai Ultimate Frisbee, she forged a new path for her life in the sport that would come to define her.

In 2015, Sangeetha made India’s first co-ed team to participate in a World Championships of Beach Ultimate. Four years later, she helped bring home India’s first medal in an international event when she was part of the bronze medal winning team at the Asian Oceanic Beach Ultimate Championships. “Ultimate teaches valuable life lessons that young adults in India often miss out on,” Sangeetha says. “As a self-officiated sport, it encourages a culture of accountability, and teaches people how to resolve conflict while respecting and listening to the views of their opponents.”

Currently the Head Coach of the Ultimate Frisbee Team and Operations Executive at a prominent fitness organization, Sangeetha is focused on setting up policies for equal opportunity in representation, skill, growth and competition.