Redefining The Underdog: The Invisible Athlete | Gautam Kapur | TEDxTufts
Let’s be real—South Asians are missing from the world’s biggest stages in sports. No FIFA World Cup stars. No Olympic dominance. Nothing. And it’s not because 25% of the world's population is not capable—it’s because of broken infrastructure, lack of investment, and a culture that tells us to play it safe. But here’s the truth: underdogs aren’t weak. They’re underestimated. And that’s their biggest weapon. This TEDx talk is about why we’re missing, how we change it, and why waiting for “the right time” is a waste of time. Gautam Kapur has spent his career pushing boundaries in the sports and entertainment industry. He’s worked across the global sports ecosystem, most recently launching Brown Ballers, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting South Asian athletes–who make up 25% of the world’s population–on the biggest stages. A Tufts graduate, Gautam is blending his industry expertise with his passion for rewriting the playbook for the next generation of underdogs. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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