Clad in her religious habit and barefoot on the track, Sister Sabina Joseph stunned spectators at the Kerala State Masters Athletics Meet by sprinting past hurdles and competitors. The first-place finish of the member of the Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the 55-plus category on October 22 marked a triumphant return to the sport—decades after her last race.
“I wanted to compete one last time before retiring,” said the 56-year-old native of Ennapara village in Kerala’s Kasaragod district, who will step down next March from her role as a physical education teacher in a Upper Primary School at Dwarka in Wayanad district. “This race was my farewell to the track.” Kerala’s Education Minister V Sivankutty commended Sister Sabina Joseph’s achievement, calling it a symbol of willpower. He said that Sister Sabina’s win shows that age and circumstances are no barriers to achieving goals. He described her dedication as an inspiration to both her students and the public. A former national-level hurdler in her teens, Sister Sabina first made headlines while in ninth grade, later representing her university in intercollegiate meets. Though she shifted focus to teaching after moving to Wayanad in 1993, her athletic spirit never waned.The crowd erupted in cheers as she crossed the finish line. Her performance reminded many of the quiet power of perseverance.
