PANAJI: Sakshi Kale didn’t look out of place at the GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim. Having travelled 40km from Usgao alone, walking through a dirt road to catch a bus and then changing it twice to reach the stadium, the 17-year-old was ready to test herself against the rest of the athletes for the 100m sprint at the SAG/GAA Mini State Athletic Championship. There was nothing unusual for the naked eye. Only that Sakshi was visually impaired and 100m sprint wasn’t her first choice. Sakshi won gold in long jump at the Para Athletics National Championship in Bhubaneswar last month The first blind athlete to win a medal for Goa at the Para Athletics National Championship in Bhubaneswar last month a gold in long jump in the T12 blind category with a jump of 4.6m—Sakshi was forced to opt out from her pet event as “it becomes difficult to compete in regular long jump events”. “At the para nationals, the arrangements are different. The markings are thicker and in white, here it’s red. I won’t be able to see the markings when I run (to take the jump),” she told TOI after the event. Training to run without a guide, despite her blindness, helped Sakshi take part in the state championship last week.The 100m event was relatively easy. “It’s running in a straight line as fast as you can,” she said, after finishing a creditable fifth from among seven finalists. Sakshi took to athletics only in January after Sudesh Gaude, formerly with the directorate of social welfare, put her in touch with the Goa Paralympics Association, led by Sudesh Thakur. Her gold at the para nationals means Sakshi now stands a chance to represent India in international events. Her father has applied for a passport. Soon enough, she will have one too. |
Blinded by fate, 17-year-old champion athlete from Usgao sets sights on international stage
Category:
Month of Issue:
May
Year of Issue:
2 022
Source:
The Times of India
Place:
Panaji
By Line:
The Times of India
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National
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