Media Release
Mangaluru, Sep 24: From earning a black belt in karate to making her mark on the athletics track, Sakshi Christina Karkada, a talented student-athlete of St Aloysius Pre-University College (SAPUC), is steadily carving a name for herself in Indian junior athletics.
Sakshi delivered an impressive performance at the 37th South Zone Junior Athletics Championships 2026, held at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in Puducherry, representing Karnataka at the prestigious regional championship. She won gold in the under-18 1000m medley relay and secured bronze in the under-18 100m hurdles, adding two more significant achievements to an already impressive 2026 season.
Her recent successes follow a remarkable year in which Sakshi has emerged as a two-time national bronze medallist, winning medals in the long jump and 4×100m relay, besides securing two state gold medals in the 100m hurdles.
From multiple talents to the athletics track
Sakshi’s journey to competitive athletics is one of exploration, perseverance and the willingness to embrace new challenges. As a young student, she participated in several activities, including swimming, singing, dancing, chess and karate, eventually earning a black belt in the martial art.
Her consistent performances at school Sports Day events caught the attention of her physical education teachers, who encouraged her to pursue athletics more seriously. A decisive turning point came when she joined a specialised sports camp under Bhakshith Salian, all India grade 2 level athletics coach.
Recognising her natural running ability, coach Salian introduced Sakshi to the Government’s Khelo India high-performance programme, providing her with an important platform to begin her competitive athletics journey.
Turning fear into strength
Hurdling became a particularly significant chapter in Sakshi’s development as an athlete. The event demands not only speed and technique but also confidence, rhythm and the ability to overcome the psychological challenge of clearing the barriers.
While the hurdles initially appeared intimidating, coach Salian identified a natural rhythm in Sakshi’s running and encouraged her to take up the event. What began as a challenge gradually became one of her strongest disciplines.
Her progress has been supported by a strong family foundation. Her mother, Deepthi Sahana Karkada, a teacher at St Aloysius Gonzaga School, her father, Christopher Jeevan Karkada working at Karnataka Theological College, and her sister, Anshi Faustina Karkada, have been constant sources of encouragement as she balances academics and high-level sporting commitments.
Balancing PCMB and competitive athletics
Sakshi’s achievements become even more noteworthy as she simultaneously pursues the demanding PCMB (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology) stream at SAPUC. Managing rigorous science subjects alongside intensive athletics training requires considerable discipline, planning and commitment.
Sakshi credits the supportive environment at St Aloysius Pre-University College for helping her pursue both academics and sport. She expressed her gratitude to principal Fr Clifford Sequeira SJ for his constant encouragement and to her class guide, Blanet Renita Paul, for her support, motivation and flexibility whenever Sakshi travels to represent Karnataka.
Inspired by Jyothi Yarraji
Sakshi draws inspiration from Indian international hurdler Jyothi Yarraji, whose resilience and determination, particularly in overcoming injury setbacks, have deeply influenced the young athlete.
With the junior nationals in Chennai ahead, Sakshi is now focused on her training and improving her personal best in the 100m hurdles. Her immediate goal is to achieve a strong performance on the national stage and continue progressing as an athlete.
For Sakshi, however, the dream extends beyond medals and records. Her ultimate ambition is to represent India at the international level and proudly wear the Indian jersey.
From the karate mat to the athletics track, Sakshi Karkada’s journey reflects the power of discipline, courage and perseverance and offers an inspiring example of how young talent can flourish when determination meets opportunity and the right support.