In a nation where cricket often steals the spotlight, stories like Sakshi Chavan’s remind us of the resilience and undying spirit that define Indian athletics.
At just 20, Sakshi has lived a life filled with breathtaking highs and devastating setbacks, yet her fire burns brighter than ever. Speaking to us candidly, Sakshi opened up about her journey one that began barefoot on a dusty track in Aurangabad and is now aiming for international glory.
A Reluctant Start That Sparked a Dream
Sakshi’s entry into athletics wasn’t planned. At 12, she was dabbling in multiple sports kho-kho, volleyball, you name it. One day, her PT teacher asked if she wanted to compete in a district athletics meet. She said yes. The very next day, she ran barefoot in the U-14 category and won.
That race was held on a track where a coach named Surendra Modi happened to be watching. Recognizing her raw talent, he took her under his wing. A year later, still without proper shoes, Sakshi broke a national record in the 100 meters U14, a race that changed her life forever.
“I didn’t even know how to run long distances,” she laughs. “I chose the 100 meters because it was short. But over time, I moved to 200m, and now I’m exploring 400m as well.” But she says that the decision to run a 400m is still sometime away.
Support from Parents
Sakshi Chavan’s journey wouldn’t be possible without the unwavering support of her parents. From the very beginning, they believed in her dream, even when circumstances were far from ideal. “I was more injured than fit,” she admits. Growing up in Aurangabad ( now Sambhaji Nagar) , where access to physiotherapy and sports recovery was limited, her parents stood by her through every setback including an ACL injury and countless muscle strains.
Not once did they ask her to give up sports to focus solely on studies. Instead, they travelled with her across cities from Mumbai to Surat for treatment and rehabilitation.
“Whatever I needed, they were there. I never heard a ‘no’ from them.” Their quiet strength became her foundation, and their sacrifices still fuel her ambition. In a world where many young athletes are asked to choose the safe path, Sakshi’s parents chose belief and that belief is what keeps her running.
Rhythm Over Speed
Sakshi speaks about her running style with a quiet confidence: “Even if I run fast, people say it looks like I’m jogging because I have rhythm. I might not look fast, but I move fast.” That rhythm, she believes, makes her a natural for the 400m, though her heart still lies with the explosive thrill of the 100m and 200m.
But nothing about Sakshi’s path has been straightforward. Just before the National Games, she twisted her ankle during training. “I tried to push through, did rehab for a week, and ran the semifinals. But the pain came back. After the heat, I couldn’t even walk.” An MRI revealed a ligament tear. She had run 12.28 with an injury and still made the final. “If I was fit, I believe I would have won a medal for Gujarat”
Injuries, Missed Medals, and Unshakeable Grit
The injury wasn’t her first. Her career has often been a delicate balancing act between pain and passion. An ACL tear, repeated hamstring issues, and lack of physiotherapy in her hometown all tested her resolve.
Still, she persisted. And when she won gold at the Junior Nationals and was named Best Female Athlete, it felt like the universe finally nodded in approval. “I had lost out on World Juniors and Asian Juniors because of injuries. But this time, I wanted to finish strong.” In the 200m final, she ran 24.1 seconds a meet record. “It felt like God was preparing me for something better.”
Yet the scars of past losses linger. “At the Junior Asia, we were leading the relay, and the baton was dropped before it even reached me. I was the anchor I just stood there, helpless. We trained for a month. But that one mistake cost us everything.” She mentions that while its disappointing to lose like this, in sport it happens, and no one does it deliberately.
Finding a Home at Reliance Foundation
Sakshi’s fortunes began to shift when she joined the Reliance Foundation two years ago. “Before that, I trained alone or with my coach in Maharashtra. But here, the support from physios to kitchen staff to recovery specialists changed everything. My confidence grew.”
She trains alongside India’s fastest names like Gurindervir, Tejas Shirse, Jyothi Yarraji, and Animesh Kujur. “Seeing how hard they train the way they carry themselves it pushes me too. When you train with the best, you grow faster.”
It’s also why she’s become active on social media. “I post reels and training snippets because so many young athletes reach out. They ask for training plans and diet tips. If I can help someone by sharing a reel, why not? Some athletes did amazing things but stayed silent and no one knows their stories. I don’t want that to happen to me.”
The Mental Game of Sprinting
For Sakshi, the 100m dash is more than just a race it’s a mental battle. “A start is everything. One false move and it’s over. I haven’t had a false start yet but it’s always in the back of the mind.”
At the Junior Nationals, it was her first big race post-injury. “I was nervous but also confident. And I ended up with personal bests in race.”
National Record and the Road Ahead
The current national record in women’s 100m stands at 11.17. Sakshi’s personal best is 11.70. On paper, the gap seems wide. But she doesn’t see it that way.
“I should have already run 11.4 or 11.5 by now,” she says honestly. “But injuries set me back. I’m not targeting the national record yet. First, I want to hit 11.5 consistently. Then we’ll see.”
She draws inspiration from rising juniors like Abinaya, who has already clocked 11.5. “There’s so much talent now. The competition keeps us sharp. I’m just getting fit again. I’ll work towards 11.5 then maybe 11.4.”
Beyond the Stopwatch
When asked what people don’t know about her, Sakshi smiles. “I post everything on social media. Nothing’s hidden,” she laughs. But what’s clear from our conversation is that her journey isn’t just about medals it’s about resilience.
Her story, like that of many young Indian athletes, is a blueprint of what happens when raw talent meets opportunity, support, and relentless spirit. As Indian athletics quietly builds a foundation to compete globally, stories like Sakshi’s are not just inspiring they are essential.
She may not be India’s fastest yet. But she’s one of the bravest. And that’s a title no clock can measure.
