Preethi Pal: First Indian to Win Two Track and Field Paralympics Medals

Preethi Pal made history by becoming the first Indian woman track and field athlete to win two medals at the Paralympics. She secured a bronze in the 200m T35 category with a personal best time of 30.01 seconds on Sunday. This achievement also made her the second Indian woman to win two medals in a single Paralympics, following shooter Avani Lekhara.

Preethi's Journey and Achievements

Preethi, a 23-year-old from Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, had earlier clinched India's first athletics medal in a Paralympics track event. She won a bronze in the women's T35 100m competition with a personal best time of 14.21 seconds on Friday. Her journey began when she was inspired by watching the Paralympic Games on social media at the age of 17.

Born with significant physical challenges, Preethi's lower body was plastered for six days after birth. She had weak legs and an irregular leg posture, making her prone to various diseases. Traditional treatments and wearing calipers for eight years from the age of five helped strengthen her legs.

Support and Training

Preethi's life changed when she met Paralympic athlete Fatima Khatoon, who introduced her to para-athletics. With Fatima's support, Preethi began competing in state championships and national events from 2018 onwards. She moved to Delhi to train under coach Gajender Singh, refining her running techniques.

She qualified for the Asian Para Games last year in China, finishing fourth in both the 100m and 200m sprints. Her dedication led to winning bronze medals in both events at the World Para Athletics Championships. Financial assistance from the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) also supported her training and competition expenses.

Other Indian Athletes' Performances

Earlier on Sunday, Ravi Rongali finished fifth in the men's F40 shot put final with a personal best of 10.63m. The F40 class is for para-athletes with short stature. World record holder Miguel Montero of Portugal won gold with a throw of 11.21m, while Mongolia's Battulga Tsegmid took bronze with 11.09m.

Rakshita Raju, another Indian athlete, bowed out in the opening round heats of the women's 1500m T11 race on the third day of athletics competitions. The T11 category is for athletes with visual impairment, who often run with guides. Rakshita finished last out of four runners in Heat 3 with a timing of 5:29.92s.

International Competitors

In Preethi's event, world record holder Zhou Xia from China won gold with a time of 28.15 seconds, while her compatriot Guo Qianqian secured silver with a time of 29.09 seconds. The T35 classification is designated for athletes with coordination impairments such as hypertonia, ataxia, and athetosis.

The only other Indian woman track and field medallist in Paralympics history is Deepa Malik, who won a silver in shot put (F53 category) at the 2016 Rio Games. All previous athletics medals for India since the 1984 Paralympics have come from field events.

Preethi's achievements mark a significant milestone for Indian para-athletics, showcasing her determination and resilience despite early physical challenges. Her success story continues to inspire many aspiring athletes across the nation.