From the streets of Chennai to the podiums of national championships, Jagathishree Kumaresan has carved her name into Indian motorsport history. A three-time national champion in drag and circuit racing, she’s not just fast—she’s fearless.
In 2024, she clinched the Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship (Girls Stock 165cc) and the Drag Racing Championship, all while battling a serious ankle injury. Her grit, grace, and groundbreaking wins have earned her a spot on Team India for the FIM Asia Women’s Cup in Thailand.
At just 21, this archaeology graduate from Madras Christian College is digging deep into the racing world, proving that speed and strategy are a powerful combination. Today, we sit down with Jagathishree to explore the mindset, milestones, and magic behind her meteoric rise.
Q: What first drew you to motorsport?
It actually started with my dad—he was the one who first introduced me to bikes and racing. One day, we casually came across the One Racing team training on ECR. I watched them and instantly felt something click. The very next day, I joined the team, and that’s where my journey really began.
Q: Racing alongside boys early in your career, what did you learn about competition and confidence?
It made me stronger. At first, it was intimidating, but soon I realized the bike doesn’t see gender. Competing with boys pushed me to raise my game, trust my skills, and believe that I belonged on the same grid as anyone else.
Q: How did you balance academics and racing, especially during your sabbatical for Class 12?
That was one of the toughest phases. I had to pause racing for a year to focus on my board exams. But I think that sacrifice made me hungrier. The moment I came back, I was determined to give everything to racing while still finishing my degree in archaeology.
Q: Take us through the final round of the 2024 National Championship—what was going through your mind after that crash?
Honestly, I thought it was over. My ankle was in terrible pain, but something in me refused to give up. I told myself, “You didn’t come this far to stop here.” I got back on the bike, and when I crossed that finish line, I knew it wasn’t just a race I’d won—it was a fight with myself.
Q: You delayed ankle surgery to finish the season. What does that say about your relationship with racing?
Racing is not just my sport—it’s my life. I knew surgery was necessary, but I also knew I’d regret not finishing the season. Pain fades, but the pride of completing what you started stays forever.
Q: What was the most satisfying win of your triple crown—and why?
The circuit championship, definitely. Because circuit racing tests everything—speed, endurance, focus, and strategy. Winning that while carrying an injury was proof to myself that I could push beyond limits.
Q: What’s a typical training week like for you before a big race?
It’s a mix of physical training, mental conditioning, and track practice. Mornings are usually for riding drills—working on braking points, corner entries, and lines. Evenings are for fitness, focusing on strength, endurance, and recovery. And in between, I spend time on visualisation and race prep.
Q: How has your coach Mohamed Hanif and the One Racing team shaped your journey?
They are my backbone. Hanif sir has not just trained me as a racer but shaped me as a person. My team One Racing has believed in me even when things weren’t going right. Every podium I’ve stood on is as much theirs as it is mine.
Q: How do you mentally prepare for drag vs circuit racing—do they demand different mindsets?
Absolutely. Drag is about reaction time and explosive power—it’s over in seconds, so your mind has to be razor-sharp. Circuit racing is about rhythm, patience, and adapting lap after lap. Both need focus, but in very different ways.
Q: Favorite racing circuit in India?
MMRT in Chennai—it’s where I started, it’s home, and it will always be special to me.
Q: Your experience of the FIM Asia Women’s Cup—Thailand?
It was my first international race, and honestly, it was magical. Competing with some of the best women riders in Asia taught me so much. The professionalism, the pace, the atmosphere—it gave me a glimpse of where I want to be, and it motivated me to push harder.
Q: If not a racer, what would you be doing?
Probably archaeology full-time. I’ve always been fascinated by history and cultures. But I know I’d still find a way to chase adrenaline in some form!
Q: Helmet color of choice?
Preferably full black with a full dark tint visor—it feels sleek, sharp, and keeps me fully in the zone.
Q: Dream sponsor or brand collab?
Alpinestars or Dainese would be a dream—both are iconic in racing and represent the highest standard of safety and performance. On a bigger scale, collaborating with a manufacturer like Yamaha or Honda would mean the world to me.
Q: Your roadmap?
To keep growing stronger in national championships and establish myself in international racing. My dream is to become a world champion and open doors for more Indian women in motorsport.
Q: What message do you have for young girls watching you race and dreaming of motorsport?
Don’t wait for permission—just start. It’s not easy, but once you’re on that track, you’ll know why it’s worth it. Believe in your dreams, trust your hard work, and never let anyone tell you that you can’t.
