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In a remarkable rise rarely witnessed in Indian motorsport, 15-year-old Rifah Taskeen has emerged as one of the country’s youngest and most accomplished racing talents, holding seven national-level records before even completing her secondary schooling.
Born on July 9, 2010, in the heart of Mysore, where ancient palaces echo amidst the roar of rigidness, Rifah is the daughter of Bi Bi Fatima, a devoted teacher at the Government Urdu Higher Primary School in Bada Makaan, and Tajuddin, a former car and two-wheeler racer now thriving in the hotel business. Rifah’s entry into motorsports began unexpectedly. As a child, she showed an unusual fascination for automobiles and speed, often observing the mechanics of racing with an attentiveness far beyond her years. A casual weekend visit to a karting track proved decisive. Coaches were quick to notice her natural reflexes, sharp judgment, and instinctive control—traits that would soon propel her into competitive racing.
Rifah entered her first karting competition at the age of 10, finishing on the podium and attracting the attention of racing academies. Over the next five years, she trained rigorously, balancing academic commitments with demanding hours of physical fitness, simulator sessions, and technical coaching in motor sport mechanics and rac ecraft.
Her steady rise through junior categories saw her frequently competing against older and more experienced boys, a challenge she met with confidence and consistency. By 13, she began breaking speed and lap-time benchmarks. At 14, she was winning events at the regional and national level.
Today, at just 15, Rifah holds a remarkable set of achievements:
Fastest Lap Record in the Junior Karting Championship, Youngest Winner of the Regional Karting Cup, Track Records at three recognized circuits, National Youth Racing Series Champion, Speed Endurance Record in her category, Highest Seasonal Overtake Count and Youngest athlete with seven official national records
Her journey has not been without challenges. Motorsport remains an expensive and male-dominated sport, and Rifah has had to navigate both financial constraints and gender biases. Yet her perseverance, supported by her family and coaches, has enabled her to progress steadily and silence doubters with performance rather than protest.
Beyond her achievements on the track, Rifah has become a source of inspiration for young girls across India. Educational institutions and sports organizations frequently highlight her story as an example of determination, discipline, and the breaking of gender stereotypes.
With her sights now set on international racing categories, Rifah Taskeen aims to represent India on global circuits in the coming years. If her trajectory so far is any indication, the teenager is well on her way to becoming one of the country’s most prominent motorsport athletes.
Home life buzzes with adorable debates: parents Tajuddin and Bi Bi Fatima wish for her to become a four-wheeler racer, while Rifah dreams of excelling as a bike racer and ultimately aspires to become an IAS officer to drive real change. Post-SSLC, she aims for four or five more records driving without tyres or steering, performing film-style stunts like balancing on two wheels for 15 km, and even soaring a car over 10 others bold declarations of defiance.