By Khushi Namdev
“You just need to believe in yourself and the vision that you have, and work hard each day to achieve it.” With unshakable conviction, the 10-year-old Atiqa Mir is ready to reach a milestone in the world of karting.
World Series Karting is considered the pinnacle of karting, attracting the best driving talent from around the world. The racer from Jammu & Kashmir becomes the first female to compete in the championship from India.
In an initiative by the Formula 1 Academy known as “Discover your drive,” which promotes female participation in motorsports, Atiqa was one of three lucky winners chosen worldwide to participate in the event. A test session was held in southern Italy, during which the racer displayed her remarkable talent and skills. As a result, she is fully prepared to excel in the championship.
Asif Mir, once a national karting champion and now guiding his daughter from the sidelines, stated that it is all about EGO. He remembered how, sometimes, Atiqa used to come back to him with tears in her eyes after being knocked off by the boys who couldn’t handle being overtaken by a girl. He also mentioned that sports are not just about gender but are primarily about talent, dedication, hard work, and discipline.
Since the age of 11, Atiqa has followed a very strict schedule, where she wakes up at 5:30 every single day, goes to the gym by 6, then to school. After school, it’s all about various kinds of training, workouts, followed by a proper diet, stretching, and sleep.
As Mir prepares for the rest of the racing season, she knows that the race is not just on the track, but it actually goes beyond it. It is all about breaking the barriers and boundaries that most grown-ups never dare to touch. The truth is, she does not go by the term “stereotype.” At ten, she is already shattering all of it at a furious speed.