Indian Blind Athlete Finds Strength in His Guide Runner’s Belief
Rakshitha Raju, a 24-year-old blind Indian woman, has overcome immense odds to become one of her country’s top middle-distance para athletes. Born in a remote village in southern India and losing both parents at age ten, Rakshitha was initially perceived as wasted potential by those around her. Her grandmother, who is hearing and speech impaired, understood the challenges she faced and provided support during these challenging times.
When Rakshitha turned 13, a sports teacher spotted her athletic ability despite her blindness and encouraged her to pursue running. It was then that Rakshitha learned about guide runners. A visually impaired athlete runs with a guide who assists by providing direction through a tether attached to both individuals.
At the age of 15, Rakshitha participated in the National Games where she caught Rahul Balakrishna’s attention. A middle-distance runner himself and previously involved in para athletics at the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), Rahul took on coaching and guiding roles for lack of experienced trainers.
Rahul invested his time, money, and effort to train Rakshitha better by moving her to Bangalore where she could access advanced facilities. Over eight years, their partnership has been instrumental in helping Rakshitha excel in athletics. They won gold medals at the 2018 and 2023 Asian Games.
Returning to her village after these achievements brought about a remarkable transformation. People who had once taunted her now organized parades cheering for her, proving that perseverance can lead to societal acceptance and pride.
Rakshitha’s success motivated other blind women in India, making them realize their potential in athletics as well. This drive eventually led Simran Sharma to qualify for the Paris Paralympics. While Simran had initially competed alone due to her partial vision, she realized that a guide was necessary after straying out of her lane during competitions.
Her journey took an unexpected turn when she met Abhay, who became not only her coach but also a friend and partner in training. Despite their initial setback at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships due to lack of preparation, they excelled by the time they reached Paris.
Despite the accolades, both Rakshitha and Simran face uncertainties regarding future support for their guides who receive no long-term career paths or public sector job opportunities. They hope that policymakers will take notice and offer them better benefits in recognition of their contributions to athletics.
Rakshitha remains focused on winning medals at the next Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, with Rahul by her side every step of the way. She believes that if she can succeed, other women from rural areas will be motivated and inspired to follow suit, proving that sports and dreams are not limited by disabilities or societal perceptions.
