In a proud moment for Karnataka's hill district, two young walking race talents from Chikkamagaluru have earned the right to represent their state on the national stage. Vidusha Jain and Mohammad Faris, both students of JEM School in Kalasa, triumphed at the state-level sports competition, booking their tickets to the prestigious national championships.
Golden Strides at Kanteerava Stadium
The qualifying event was the state-level sports meet held at Bengaluru's iconic Kanteerava Stadium. It was here that the duo from Kalasa showcased exceptional endurance and technique in the demanding 5000-metre walking race discipline. Their performances were not just good enough to qualify; they were podium-topping efforts that highlighted their dedication.
Vidusha Jain, a 10th-grade student and daughter of Veena and Satyendra Jain, was utterly dominant in her category. She powered her way to the gold medal in the girls' under-17 5000-metre walking race, leaving no doubt about her readiness for higher competition.
Not to be outdone, her schoolmate and fellow 10th-grader, Mohammad Faris, delivered a superb performance in the boys' event. Displaying grit and pace, Faris, son of Farooq and Abiba, secured a second-place finish, which was more than sufficient to seal his qualification for the national meet alongside Vidusha.
The Guiding Force Behind the Success
Behind every young champion is a mentor who sharpens their raw talent. For both Vidusha and Faris, that guiding light is coach HR Prashanth. His training regimen and strategic guidance have been instrumental in preparing these athletes for the rigors of competitive race walking, transforming their potential into podium-winning performances.
Next Stop: Lucknow Nationals
The journey now moves north for the talented pair. Vidusha and Faris will represent Karnataka at the national sports meet in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, next week. This will be their biggest test yet, competing against the best young race walkers from across India. Their community in Kalasa and the wider Chikkamagaluru district will be watching with immense pride as these local heroes step onto the national platform.
Their achievement underscores the depth of sporting talent present in India's smaller towns and the importance of school-level sports infrastructure and coaching. As they prepare for Lucknow, all eyes will be on these two determined athletes from the hills of Karnataka, hoping they walk their way to further glory.
