Paralympic Athlete Profile: Karisma Evi, World Record-Breaking Quadriplegic

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JAKARTA - It was previously unimaginable for Karisma Evi Tiarani, a girl from Boyolali, Central Java, to be able to win an international sporting event, let alone break a world record.

How come? Evi was born with the privilege of her left leg which is about 7 centimeters shorter, and not as strong as her right leg.

Even though she is physically disabled, Evi doesn't want to see this condition as an obstacle or a limitation.

In fact, the athlete who was born on January 19, 2001, has actually fallen in love with running since she was in grade 2 of junior high school.

The hijab girl initially wanted to become a badminton player, but over time her interest turned to athletics.

It was this sport that brought Evi to a series of achievements in various regional, national, and international championships.

Her first test was the Regional Student Paralympic Week (Peparda) 2014, and Evi successfully presented a gold medal in the 100 meters T42.

At the 2016 National Paralympic Week (Peparnas) in West Java, the youngest of the two brothers managed to get two golds, namely in the 100 meter running and long jump.

Not satisfied, Evi continued to prove her ability, and in the 2018 Asian Para Games (APG) she won gold in the 100 meter T42 (impaired) number.

Still in the same event, Evi also won a bronze medal in the women's long jump number T42-44/61-64 classification.

Evi again made Indonesia proud with her success in winning a gold medal and breaking a record at the 2019 Para Athletics World Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The athlete assisted by the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee (NPC) managed to break the world record in the women's 100-meter number with a time of 14.72 seconds.

Evi managed to beat the Italian athlete Monica Graziana Contrafatto who was in second place with a time of 15.56 seconds, and third place was occupied by Gitte Haenen from Belgium (15.60 seconds).

Previously, Evi at the 2019 Paris Open Handisport Tournament had also broken a world record by scoring a time of 14.90 seconds.

That is, at the World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) 2019, Evi broke her own record.

Unexpectedly, from Talak Broto Village, Simong District, Boyolali Regency, Central Java, Evi was able to penetrate national borders and managed to carve a record of her achievements.

Apparently, it was the support of her parents, especially her mother and friends that made her grow up with confidence and never feel inferior.

The physical privileges of the girl who is now 20 years old have never made her feel that she is treated differently by her family and environment.

Even her school friends never once mocked or made fun of Evi, but instead fully supported her in her achievements.

Originally, Evi also appeared at the 2020 ASEAN Paragames in the Philippines, but it failed to take place because the disability sports event was canceled following the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, there is still one more opportunity, namely the Tokyo Paralympics which will be held from August 24 to September 5, 2021 in Japan.

Together with 22 other athletes, Evi will represent Merah Putih at the four-yearly disabled athlete's sports party.

Limitations do not make her feel limited. Let's support Evi in knitting achievement after achievement to bring back the name of Indonesia at the world level.

Short bio:

Name: Karisma Evi Tiarani

Place, date of birth: Boyolali, January 19, 2001

Branch: para-athletic

Performance:

- Regional Student Paralympic Week 2014 (1 gold)

- 2016 National Paralympic Week (2 gold)

- Asian Para Games (APG) 2018 (1 gold, 1 bronze)

- 2019 Paris Open Handisport Tournament (1 gold-breaking world record)

- 2019 Para Athletics World Championship (1 gold-breaking world record)