NO HOLDING BACK

These two champions encompass the unique spirit of the Paralympic athlete, who seeks to accomplish what the public deems unexpected

- TARUKA SRIVASTAVA

When the cauldron was extinguished in Tokyo to signify the end of one of the most unique Paralympic Games in history, the shared sentiment among athletes was an overwhelming appreciation for being able to compete at all. The Indian contingent, too, shared in the revelry. In an epoch-making campaign that yielded 19 medals, including five gold, our Paralympians signed off with a ranking of 24th in the overall tally – the highest ever.

To put things in perspective, at the 2016 Rio Games, India had 19 athletes across five disciplines with four returning with medals in the end.

Avani Lekhara finished on the podium twice, creating her own legacy in what was her debut Paralympics. The 19-year-old shooter became the first Indian woman to win a Games gold (10m air rifle) and later added a bronze in 50m rifle 3 positions to ensure that her name would now be part of every Indiacentric Paralympic quiz.

Bhavina Patel, who hails from Gujarat, also created history when she became the first table tennis player ever to win a medal at the Paralympics for India, and the second female athlete after Paralympic Committee of India chief, Deepa Malik, to achieve the feat.

But before the medals and sporting glory, there was hardship.

FIGHTING SPIRIT

Patel recollects, “When I was diagnosed with polio, everyone was tense and worried about my future. My grandfather believed more in faith and worship and didn’t take me to the doctor, because of which polio spread. Both my legs are affected. My parents used to take me to school on their shoulders. Till the 12th standard, I was educated in (the) village and I was quite good at it (studying). I wanted to pursue science but, in the village, there were no higher education facilities/schools. So, I pursued arts.”