In southern India, 24-year-old Rakshitha Raju reflects on her journey from being regarded as a "waste" in her village due to her blindness to becoming a top middle-distance para athlete. Born blind and orphaned by age 10, she was raised by her hearing and speech-impaired grandmother. The two bonded over their disabilities, which later motivated Rakshitha to pursue athletics.
Her potential was discovered by a sports teacher at age 13, who introduced her to the concept of running with a guide. Rakshitha was initially guided by classmates, until she met Rahul Balakrishna, a fellow middle-distance runner who opted to become her permanent guide in 2016. He has been her unwavering support through numerous competitions after moving her to Bangalore for better training facilities.
“It’s the small things that matter,” says Rahul, explaining that precise communication is vital during races, from alerting her to curves on the track to calling out competitors. Their bond has grown strong over the years, with Rakshitha expressing, “I believe in my guide runner more than myself.”
Together, they’ve achieved significant milestones, including gold medals at the Asian Games in 2018 and 2023. Rakshitha made history as the first blind Indian woman to qualify for the 1500m event at the Paralympics.
Simran Sharma, the only other visually impaired female athlete from India to qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympics, had a different journey. Initially running solo due to partial sight, she realized the need for a guide after her experience at the Tokyo Paralympics. She found Abhay Kumar, a fellow athlete, just in time for the international competitions.
Their training faced early challenges, resulting in disqualification during their first race, but they quickly adapted, snagging gold in the subsequent 200m event. Simran pridefully went on to claim a bronze in Paris, making her the first Indian woman with visual impairment to win a Paralympic medal.
Despite their success, both athletes’ guides express concerns about their futures, as the system provides limited support for guide runners. Both Rakshitha and Simran are seeking greater recognition and career opportunities for their guides, who play critical roles in their athletic achievements. The Paralympic Committee of India currently cannot offer substantial support for guide runners beyond immediate needs.
As they set their sights on the future, both athletes are determined to push boundaries and inspire opportunities for others like them. “There are many like her in villages,” says Rahul about Rakshitha. “They don’t know about sports and the possibilities. Rakshitha would be a role model for them.”
As the excitement builds for the upcoming Paralympic Games, both athletes remain optimistic about their potential to change the narrative and grasp gold medals in Los Angeles. The BBC Indian Sportswoman Of The Year Awards is set to inspire even more recognition for their achievements as a celebration of women athletes in India approaches.
Her potential was discovered by a sports teacher at age 13, who introduced her to the concept of running with a guide. Rakshitha was initially guided by classmates, until she met Rahul Balakrishna, a fellow middle-distance runner who opted to become her permanent guide in 2016. He has been her unwavering support through numerous competitions after moving her to Bangalore for better training facilities.
“It’s the small things that matter,” says Rahul, explaining that precise communication is vital during races, from alerting her to curves on the track to calling out competitors. Their bond has grown strong over the years, with Rakshitha expressing, “I believe in my guide runner more than myself.”
Together, they’ve achieved significant milestones, including gold medals at the Asian Games in 2018 and 2023. Rakshitha made history as the first blind Indian woman to qualify for the 1500m event at the Paralympics.
Simran Sharma, the only other visually impaired female athlete from India to qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympics, had a different journey. Initially running solo due to partial sight, she realized the need for a guide after her experience at the Tokyo Paralympics. She found Abhay Kumar, a fellow athlete, just in time for the international competitions.
Their training faced early challenges, resulting in disqualification during their first race, but they quickly adapted, snagging gold in the subsequent 200m event. Simran pridefully went on to claim a bronze in Paris, making her the first Indian woman with visual impairment to win a Paralympic medal.
Despite their success, both athletes’ guides express concerns about their futures, as the system provides limited support for guide runners. Both Rakshitha and Simran are seeking greater recognition and career opportunities for their guides, who play critical roles in their athletic achievements. The Paralympic Committee of India currently cannot offer substantial support for guide runners beyond immediate needs.
As they set their sights on the future, both athletes are determined to push boundaries and inspire opportunities for others like them. “There are many like her in villages,” says Rahul about Rakshitha. “They don’t know about sports and the possibilities. Rakshitha would be a role model for them.”
As the excitement builds for the upcoming Paralympic Games, both athletes remain optimistic about their potential to change the narrative and grasp gold medals in Los Angeles. The BBC Indian Sportswoman Of The Year Awards is set to inspire even more recognition for their achievements as a celebration of women athletes in India approaches.
