How a 17-year-old athlete from Sundargarh conquered the 10,000m race walk just 48 hours after her Class 12 exams.
The Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026 has produced many stories of grit, but none quite as a striking as that of Alish Ekka. Representing Odisha, the teenager secured a silver medal in the grueling 10,000m race walk at Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh. What makes this feat legendary isn't just the podium finish, but the timeline: Alish stepped onto the track less than two days after putting down her pen for the final Class 12 board examination. Her journey from the hockey fields of Santoshpur to the national athletics stage is a masterclass in resilience and time management.
The Sprint from Study Table to Starting Line
For most 17-year-olds, the conclusion of the Class 12 board exams is a time for rest. For Alish Ekka, it was the beginning of a different kind of test. After finishing her final paper in Odisha, she immediately traveled to Jagdalpur to compete in the inaugural edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games.
On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, Alish clocked a remarkable 1:04:59.12 in the women’s 10,000m race walk. She finished just behind Jharkhand’s Neha Xalxo, who took gold. The silver medal was a culmination of two years of intense double-duty: studying for a critical academic milestone while training at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium.
A Legacy of Sacrifice
Alish’s success is deeply rooted in her family history. Her mother, Pramila Ekka, was once a promising state-level hockey player who had to abandon her dreams due to financial hardships and family responsibilities. Now working as a jewelry store employee to support the family, Pramila’s struggle became Alish’s fuel.
Originally a hockey striker herself, Alish made the bold decision to switch to race walking only two years ago. The move was strategic—seeking a path where individual merit could shine despite limited resources.
Why This Performance Matters
The KITG 2026 is designed to bring tribal talent into the national spotlight. Alish Ekka’s performance highlights the untapped potential in regions like Sundargarh. Her ability to maintain a pace of roughly 6:30 per kilometer over ten kilometers—while mentally exhausted from exams—sets a new benchmark for student-athletes in India.
- Discipline: Balancing a 15km commute to training with a full study schedule.
- Adaptability: Successfully transitioning from a team sport (hockey) to a technical individual event (race walking).
- Mental Toughness: Competing at a national level with almost zero "tapering" or recovery time post-exams.