Born with 80 percent hearing loss, 17-year-old sprinter Rishitha has emerged as one of India’s brightest deaf athletes and earned the honour of representing the country at the 2026 Asian Deaf Games to be held from Oct. 3 to 10 at Penang in Malaysia

At just 17 years of age, M. Rishitha, a resident J.P. Nagar in city, is proving that determination speaks louder than any limitation. Born with 80 percent hearing loss, the young sprinter has transformed adversity into achievement, emerging as one of India’s brightest deaf athletes and earning the honour of representing the nation at the 2026 Asian Deaf Games to be held between Oct. 3-10 at Penang in Malaysia.

A student of Sri Jayachamarajendra PU College, Rishitha’s journey is one of resilience, discipline and unwavering belief. While many saw her hearing impairment as an obstacle, she chose to see it as motivation to push beyond every boundary.

Rishitha discovered athletics during her 8th standard, at the age of 13. What began as a passion soon became a mission. Through countless hours of training, relentless hard work and an unbreakable spirit, she steadily rose through the ranks of Indian athletics.

Her breakthrough performances on the national stage established her as one of the country’s finest deaf sprinters. She became the National Champion in both the 100 metres and 200 metres in the U-18 category.

Rishitha with her parents H.S. Darshini and T.C. Manjunatha and sister M. Anagha.

In the process, she rewrote the record books by clocking a sensational 13.04 sec in the 100 metres, setting a new national record and an outstanding 24.81 sec in the 200 metres, another national record that showcased her exceptional speed and determination.

These remarkable achievements earned Rishitha a place in the Indian contingent for the upcoming 2026 Asian Deaf Games, where she will compete in both the 100m and 200m events.

Rishitha with coach M.G. Radesh

Behind every successful athlete is a strong support system. Rishitha credits her parents, H.S. Darshini, a homemaker and T.C. Manjunatha, a businessman, for believing in her dreams and standing by her through every challenge.  

A major turning point in her career came in 2023, when she began training under M.G. Radesh, Head Coach of Team Optimum Power and Head of Physical Education at St. Lawrence International School.

Recognising her natural talent and determination, Radesh designed a structured high-performance training programme focused on speed development, sprint mechanics, strength and mental resilience.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Radesh said, “Rishitha is one of the most determined athletes I have ever coached. She never allows her disability to define her. Every training session, every race and every challenge is an opportunity for her to become stronger.”

“Her discipline, work ethic and hunger to improve are truly exceptional. I firmly believe she has the potential to bring great honour to India on the international stage,” he added.

Despite the communication barriers that come with hearing loss, Rishitha has consistently demonstrated that success is built on perseverance rather than circumstances. Her achievements stand as a powerful reminder that true ability is measured not by limitations but by courage, commitment and relentless effort.

Looking ahead, Rishitha has set her sights on winning gold medals at the Asian Deaf Games, the Deaflympics and the World Deaf Championships.

Reflecting on her journey, Rishitha said, “I was born with hearing loss, but I was never born without dreams. I want every girl, especially those who feel different or face challenges, to know that nothing is impossible.”

“Your circumstances do not decide your future, your determination does. I want to prove that with hard work, discipline and self-belief, any dream can become reality,” she added.

As Rishitha prepares to wear the Indian jersey on the international stage, she carries not only the hopes of her family and coaches but also the aspirations of countless young athletes who dare to dream beyond their circumstances. Her journey is more than a story of medals and records, it is a story of courage, resilience and the limitless power of the human spirit.

—SOM News Network