THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Jishna M leapt against challenges and landed in glory. And the Kalladi (Palakkad) HSS girl was the cynosure of all eyes on the 62nd Kerala School Athletics Championships’ final day, clearing 1.73 m in the senior girls’ high jump and erasing 10-year-old mark Jishna, 17, attempted 1.75 m, but failed to clear it.
Her performance capped a fine show by her school, which won 10 gold, three silver and as many bronze medals. Jishna’s gold medal is even more glittering, considering the fact that she is from a financially-backward family. Association of Malayalam Movie Artists, in association with an NGO, is currently building a home for Jishna under the ‘Aksharaveedu’ project.
Coach K Ramachandran, who has been working tirelessly to take Jishna to greater heights, said: “Her family pins a lot of hopes on her. Jishna is a hardworking girl and always wants to give hundred per cent. She had bagged her first gold at the same meet two years ago. She keeps improving. Her good height and sound technique should help her improve further.”
That she was able to improve 18 cm last year speaks about the rapid strides she is making. “Jishna plans to join degree course. I’ll continue to train her. Her parents, however, are keen that she takes up a job soon and support the family,” said Ramachandran, who spotted Jishna at a meet in SAI, Thiruvananthapuram.