Preethi and Nishad Shine for India at Paris Paralympics

Preethi Pal's Historic Achievement 

23-year-old Preethi Pal created history at the Paris Paralympics by becoming the first Indian woman track and field athlete to win two medals at a single edition of the Games. After clinching a bronze in the 100m T35 event on Friday, Preethi added another bronze to her tally in the 200m T35 category with a personal best time of 30.01 seconds.

Preethi's achievement is particularly remarkable as she had to overcome significant physical challenges from birth, including weak legs and an irregular leg posture, which made her prone to various diseases. Her journey to the Paralympics has been one of resilience and determination, overcoming numerous obstacles to reach the pinnacle of para-sport. 

Nishad Kumar's Silver Lining 

Alongside Preethi's historic performance, Nishad Kumar also continued his impressive run at the Paralympics by clinching a silver medal in the men's high jump T47 category. The 24-year-old from Una, Himachal Pradesh, who lost his right hand in a grass-cutting machine accident as a child, cleared a season's best of 2.04m to finish second. 

Nishad's silver medal marks his second successive Paralympic silver, having won a similar feat at the Tokyo Games three years ago. His determination and athletic prowess have been instrumental in his success, as he overcame the challenges posed by his disability to compete at the highest level.

Ravi Rongali's Creditable Performance

While Preethi and Nishad grabbed the limelight, another Indian para-athlete, Ravi Rongali, also put in a commendable performance in the men's F40 shot put final. Rongali, who had won a silver medal at the Asian Para Games last year, finished a creditable fifth with a personal best throw of 10.63m.

Rongali's performance in a highly competitive field, which included the gold medalist Miguel Montero of Portugal and bronze medalist Battulga Tsegmid of Mongolia, showcases the depth and talent of India's para-athletics squad.

The continued success of Indian para-athletes at the Paris Paralympics is a testament to the country's growing prowess in the field of adaptive sports. Preethi Pal's historic achievement, Nishad Kumar's second successive silver, and Ravi Rongali's impressive showing have once again highlighted the resilience, determination, and talent of India's para-sport stars. As the nation celebrates these victories, the focus now shifts to the future, where these athletes can serve as inspirations for the next generation of para-sport champions.