Jaipur, Dec 2 (NationPress) Every athlete experiences a pivotal moment that encapsulates their struggles. For Keerthana, that defining moment transpired in Jaipur, where the sprinter from Udupi finished the women’s 100m race in 11.94 seconds, securing gold at the Khelo India University Games Rajasthan 2025. This victory was the culmination of years of dedication.

Currently pursuing a Master of Commerce (MCom) at Jain University, Keerthana marked the institution's first gold medal outside the swimming events, establishing herself as a promising young talent in athletics. However, her journey to success is filled with challenges that tested her resolve.

At the age of nine, Keerthana faced a devastating loss when her father passed away from cardiac arrest, an event that profoundly impacted her family. Later, she also lost her coach in a tragic accident, an emotional setback that could have easily led her to abandon her athletic pursuits. Initially, she aspired to compete in the 400m race, but a groin injury nearly shattered her aspirations, ultimately leading to a significant shift in her career.

During this tumultuous time, her older brother, who works as a private PT teacher and is the family's primary provider, stepped in to guide her. He took over her training and made a pivotal decision in 2021 to transition her to the 100m sprint, allowing her natural speed to flourish while giving her body time to recover. Together, they formed a resilient partnership, training privately to rebuild her confidence.

Keerthana's progress was swift; over the next two years, she honed her skills in the 100m sprint, enhancing both her speed and self-assurance. A significant milestone was reached in 2022 when she was a member of the silver-winning 4x400m relay team at the Khelo India University Games in Bengaluru. That same season, she secured her first relay gold at the All India Inter-University Games, followed by another silver in Chennai the subsequent year.

By March 2023, her improvement was evident, achieving a Personal Best of 11.86 seconds at a U-23 state meet, a record she aimed to surpass in Jaipur.

The success has continued, with Monday's gold in Jaipur being a remarkable milestone, representing her first solo medal at the KIUG after previous successes in the 4x400m relay.

“I aimed to break my personal best, but I fell short. Nonetheless, winning at the Khelo India University Games is significant as it marks my first individual gold,” the 22-year-old expressed, her smile embodying both pride and a hint of disappointment for missing her PB of 11.86 seconds.

A medallist at the 2017 School Games and a recognized name across three KIUG editions, Keerthana knows this chapter in her athletic journey is just beginning. She is not finished yet in Jaipur, planning to return for the women's 4x400m relay on the final day of track and field events at KIUG 2025, with aspirations of adding another medal to her collection.

“We’ve trained diligently for the relay, and we’re excited about the prospect of winning another gold,” she stated confidently.

As the season winds down, Keerthana is already setting her sights on a busy 2026, but her primary focus remains on avoiding injuries, a lesson learned from her past struggles. With the Asian Games on the horizon next year, Keerthana is committed to maximizing her opportunities.