From walking stick to winner's podium: Geetha runs away with Sukma gold
SERDANG: A year ago, S. Geetha could barely walk.
S. Geetha, a 21-year-old runner from Johor, made an incredible comeback at the Malaysia Games (Sukma) in UPM Stadium, defending her women's 800m gold medal. A year ago, she was severely impacted by injuries, using a walking stick to get around due to a six-centimetre tear in her left calf muscle and a back injury. These setbacks also took a toll on her mental health.
Geetha, who is now coached by former national runner Ironi Riduan, completed the race in 2:17.69s, outpacing silver medalist Nur Syifa Raisha Adnan Firdaus of Sabah (2:19.46) and bronze medalist Rosnani Mahamad of Johor (2:19.61).
However, Geetha's gold medal victory meant far more than just a top-three finish. Last year, she faced a challenging period, recovering from her injuries both physically and mentally. She underwent physiotherapy, received treatment from doctors, and had two platelet-rich plasma (PRP) procedures to aid her recovery. Despite the difficulties, she expressed immense happiness at finally overcoming her obstacles and retaining the gold medal she had won in 2024.
Geetha's resilience and determination were a testament to her hard work and dedication, with her family, coach, and teammates providing crucial support throughout her journey. Looking ahead, she aims to qualify for next year's SEA Games, further demonstrating her commitment to the sport.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
