For many years, Liksy Joseph’s main rival was her twin sister Niksy. They often ended up with a heavy haul, sometimes ten medals, in Kerala State junior and inter-club meets. And, almost always, they were either gold or silver.
Born to school teachers K.M. Joseph and Gracy, the twins took up athletics when they were just seven. The two were strong in the jumps and sprints early.
They could have become long-jumpers but chose the gruelling but low-profile heptathlon.
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Liksy was in brilliant form in Wuhan, pulling off personal bests in five of the heptathlon’s seven events as her won her maiden medal in an Asian meet.
In the heptathlon’s long jump, she had an impressive 6.19m which was just five centimetres behind former Asian champion Mayookha Johny’s 6.24 which brought her the sixth place in the individual event.
Her other personal bests came in the high jump (1.71m), shot put (10.74m), javelin throw (35.47m) and in the 800m (2:13.4) where she improved by more than two seconds.
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With such sterling performances, her personal best in the event improved by 110 points.