Only a few weeks back the nation was all gaga over the overwhelming victory of PV Sindhu and Sakshi Mallik at the Rio olympics, but the historic win by our para athletes at the ongoing Rio paralympics has even failed to garner enough eyeballs. After a few tweets and 24hr hustle bustle on the internet, their feats fizzed out among other news. It wont be wrong to say that the paralympians dont get nearly as much attention as the olympians. Not many of us must be aware about the guts and glory of these power players who have made nation proud. Here are a few mind-boggling facts about paralympics that will make you respect these people for their contributions.
INDIA never participated in paralympics till 1968, since then it has never missed any summer paralympics. But India has never competed in any of the winter paralympic games so far.
This time India has sent a delegation of 19 athletes (16 men and 3 women) who will compete in 10 different sports. This is India's largest delegation in paralympics so far.
Murlikant Petkar gave India its first ever gold medal in the 1972 paralympics held at Heidelberg, Germany. Petkar swam 50m freestyle setting a world record of 37. 331 seconds.
Devendra Jhajheria. This para athlete created history and made India's pressence felt in the 2004 Athens paralympics. Devendra bagged gold in javelin throw, setting a world record that remains unbroken till date. Also he is the first paralympian to be honoured with the prestigious Padma Sri award in March 2012.
Joginder Singh Bedi. Not many of us must have heard about this para athlete who has won maximum number of medals for India at paralympics. Singh created waves at the 1984 paralympics by clinching silver in short put and a pair of bronze in Javelin and Discus throws.
There are many other para athletes like Bhimrao Kesarkar, Rajendra Singh Rahelu and Girish Nagarajegowda, who have not got the much deserved respect and support, but this hasn't detered them from excelling at national and international sports. I hope they get same welcome as other olympians when they return back.
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