Milan Sabu wins gold in pole vault for his mother battling cancer

KOCHI: In a heartfelt tribute to his mother, who battles both the hardships of life and a cancer diagnosis, Milan Sabu clinched the gold medal in the junior boys' pole vault, clearing an impressive height of four meters. The victory, earned at the state school sports meet, is more than an athletic feat—it's a testament to resilience, family dedication and the bond between a son and his mother.

Milan, a plus-one student at Pala Saint Thomas Higher Secondary School, is the second of three children of Sabu and Sheeja from Vettimukal, Ettumanur. Tragedy first struck the family 11 years ago when Sabu, Milan's father, lost his life in an accident. Since then, Sheeja has been the family's pillar, raising Milan, his sister Melba Marie Sabu and younger brother Melbin on her own. Seven months ago, Sheeja was diagnosed with cancer after experiencing persistent back pain. Despite the physical toll of her treatment, which has caused her hair to fall out, Sheeja attended Milan's event, proudly cheering her son on as he soared to victory.

Sheeja, a former powerlifting and weightlifting athlete who once competed in national events, passed on her athletic spirit to her children. Milan's sister, Melba Marie Sabu, is also a skilled pole vaulter, having secured the silver medal in the previous state school sports meet. With her mother’s health weighing heavily on her mind, Melba has decided to prioritize work and education abroad, using the insurance funds from her father’s death. Melba shared that the decision to step away from pole vaulting stems from a need to support her family during this difficult period.

Both Milan and Melba train under coach Satheesh at Pala Jumps Academy, a key figure in their journey as athletes. In a show of support amid financial challenges, Minister VN Vasavan recently helped Milan obtain a new pole worth Rs 1.10 lakh.