ElizubaJoe Abraham, a young designer from Kerala, has achieved a milestone no Indian designer has reached before. By securing third place in the official medal design competition for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, she has entered Olympic history—becoming the first Indian to place among the top three in an Olympic medal design competition.
Her achievement transcends personal success. It signals a quiet but significant moment for Indian design on a global stage, and stands as a testament to how passion, perseverance, and the courage to defy convention can transform a childhood fascination into an international accomplishment.
A childhood painted with creativity
From an early age, Elizuba’s world was shaped by colour, sketches and imagination. As a student of Toc-H Public School, Vyttila, Ernakulam, she gravitated instinctively towards drawing and creative exploration, spending her free time immersed in visual expression. These formative years, though unremarkable on the surface, laid the foundation for a future in design.
Her first encounters with applied art came through school projects. Designing a magazine cover introduced her to visual storytelling, while poster design taught her the discipline of clarity and impact. Modest in scale, these early experiences nevertheless ignited a dream that would quietly grow into a lifelong pursuit.
Choosing passion over predictability
During higher secondary education, Elizuba reached a familiar crossroads. Like many of her peers, she was preparing for engineering entrance examinations—a conventional and socially validated path. Yet her aspirations lay elsewhere.
Choosing design over predictability demanded conviction. Trusting her instincts, she cleared the entrance examination for the National Institute of Design and went on to graduate from the Kerala State Institute of Design. What initially appeared risky soon proved transformative, offering her the space to refine her creative voice and develop professional rigour.
Early validation on a global stage
Elizuba’s talent found early affirmation during her internship with the Experience Design department at Tata Elxsi. As part of a team developing a proof of concept for a sports application, she contributed to a project that went on to receive the iF Design Award—one of the world’s most respected design recognitions.
The experience strengthened her confidence and reinforced her belief in the path she had chosen. It also broadened her interests across graphic design, visual communication and photography, encouraging her to seek challenges beyond familiar terrain.
When preparation met the Olympic moment
While continuing to sharpen her skills, Elizuba came across an unusual opportunity on Instagram—the official medal design competition for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Recognising the rarity and scale of the challenge, she committed herself fully.
Her preparation was meticulous. She studied the history and symbolism of Olympic medals, explored the cultural context of the Games, and immersed herself in the competition’s theme: Africa Welcomes, Dakar Celebrates. From this research emerged her concept, titled Celebration of Victory.
For Elishuba, the recognition carried deep significance—not only as a personal milestone, but as an opportunity to represent India on a global design platform
The competition unfolded across multiple online stages, drawing thousands of designers from around the world. Elizuba’s submission distinguished itself through conceptual clarity, cultural sensitivity and a strong narrative connection to the spirit of the Games.
A place on the global podium
From an intensely competitive international field, Elizuba Joe Abraham secured third place, sharing the podium with designers from Europe:
- First place: Maria Pilar Barbadillo Vicario (Spain)
- Second place: Agisilaos Kiriassis (Greece)
- Third place: Elizuba Joe Abraham (India)
For Elizuba, the recognition carried deep significance—not only as a personal milestone, but as an opportunity to represent India on a global design platform. She credits her achievement to the steady support of her family—Joe Abraham, Sheba Joe and Gracia Mariam Joe—as well as her college friend Geeverghese, who played a crucial role in supporting the 3D modelling of her final design.
Giving wings to dreams
Elizuba’s journey carries a resonant message. The same hands that once designed a school magazine cover can one day shape an Olympic medal. Her story offers enduring lessons for aspiring creatives:
- Recognise your spark: Early interests often point to lifelong passions.
- Commit with purpose: Excellence is built through discipline, research and persistence.
- Trust small beginnings: Every global achievement starts with a modest first step.
Now preparing for postgraduate studies in design, Elizuba continues to expand her global presence. Her story stands as a reminder that when talent is nurtured with belief and determination, dreams do more than endure—they rise, unmistakably, into the world.
Author
