Karthik’s Rainy Day at the Asian Games: A Journey of Perseverance
Karthik Unnikrishnan faced a challenging situation as he prepared for his big moment at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium. Amid steady rain, the runway was slippery and hard to manage. At 33 years old, Karthik was stepping onto the international stage for the first time at the Asian Games, a milestone he had long awaited.
His excitement was overshadowed when fellow athlete Praveen Chithravel, who had previously won a bronze medal at the Asian Games, injured himself before even completing a jump. Suddenly, the weight of representing India in the triple jump was solely on Karthik’s shoulders. He knew this was likely his only opportunity to compete at such a prestigious event.
Early Days in Kerala
Karthik was born in 1993 and joined India’s triple jump scene in 2015. He wasn’t a late start in sports, but life around athletics posed challenges. Growing up with parents who ran a tea shop in Ooty and living with his maternal grandparents in Kerala, Karthik struggled academically. As a tall 6-foot boy without clear direction, sports became a natural outlet.
In school, he initially tried hurdles, but it didn’t go well. Living away from his family and facing setbacks in both academics and sports led to feelings of loneliness and self-doubt. After switching to triple jump, he had some small victories but still felt stuck at the state level.
To keep his hopes alive, he adjusted his dreams and aimed simply to wear the Kerala state jersey, rather than compete nationally.
A Breakthrough Moment
Karthik’s journey took a turn when he was called to replace an injured athlete in a national competition and unexpectedly finished second. This achievement caught the attention of coach P.G. Manoj, who advised him to secure a job first, then figure out his athletic future.
This advice led to a job in the Indian Air Force, a significant step for his family, who humorously believed he would be flying planes. Instead, the Air Force provided Karthik an environment that pushed him to dream bigger. Surrounded by ambitious athletes, his goals shifted from reaching 15 meters to aiming for 16 and even 17. Suddenly, the Asian Games and the Olympics felt within reach.
Facing Challenges
However, as dreams grew, so did the risks of failure. Over the years, various setbacks, including being stuck during COVID-19, losing his coach, and suffering various injuries, made his journey tough. By 2023, a severe tendon injury forced him to relearn his technique with the help of his physio, Garima, who also became his wife.
While each setback had its reasons, collectively, they weighed heavily on Karthik’s mind. When he finally felt ready, it was 2023, and he was still in pursuit of his 16.80-meter goal, now at the age of 33, with a history filled with near misses leading up to Nagoya.
A Rainy Competition
As Karthik stepped onto the wet runway for his attempts, the rain continued to pour. He managed to jump over the 16-meter mark just once, ultimately finishing sixth. For much of his journey, Karthik had battled against fate, which often seemed to shift the goalposts just when he came close.
Fate can be an unforgiving opponent—showing up in the form of rain, injuries, and missed opportunities. Yet, for Karthik and athletes alike, these challenges are magnified under the spotlight. Although this competition may be his last major event, Karthik remains resilient. With a smile, he walks away, embodying the spirit of perseverance. His story resonates beyond sports, reflecting the everyday struggles we all face against life’s uncertainties.
While we may not control how life unfolds, we can control how we face our challenges, leaving the field with courage and a sense of fulfillment.
