Fighting odds, 3 para-athletes from Delhi hope to make India proud at Tokyo games | Delhi News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: Kashish Lakra (17) has been dreaming since Class III of representing India in sports. Now that she will be participating in Club Throw F51 event at Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, she is happy and proud of herself.
Her journey, however, has been tough and she overcame many obstacles to reach this position. Lakra, who is wheelchair-bound, said, “I have been training as a wrestler since childhood and have been a national-level player. I always dreamt of representing India. However, during a practice session in November 2017, I sustained an injury and could not walk properly. I was shattered and thought that my life would be confined to a room.”
She was forced to drop out of school for a year due to her injury. “However, I never lost hope. When I came in touch with my current coach Satyapal Singh, he informed me about being a para-athlete. Under his guidance, I started practising for the club throw,” said the Mundka resident. She is currently in Class XII.
“It gives me immense happiness that I will be participating in the paralympics event at such a young age,” said the elated girl. Though she is nervous about the event, Lakra will be flying to Tokyo on August 26 aiming to give her 100% in the competition.
Similarly, despite suffering from a pulled hamstring in her left leg, Simran Sharma (22), who is visually impaired, is determined to give her best in the 100-metre race. “My doctor had initially advised me to go for therapy. I was required to take rest for a month for the treatment of my pulled hamstring. As I cannot compromise with my training, I’m undergoing rehabilitation exercises,” she said.
Her husband, Gajendra Singh, who is a Naik in the Indian Army, is her coach and motivates her a lot. “My husband was a marathon runner, but he quit to support me. I’m not under pressure for a medal, but I will be running in the event with an aim to give my best in the competition,” said Sharma, who started professional training under her husband in 2019.
Praveen Kumar, an 18-year-old physically challenged youth, is excited to participate in the high jump E44 event. Though his training was affected due to the lockdown, Kumar aims to make a jump of at least 2.05 metres. “I used to play volleyball in school and my jump was good. Once I participated in a high jump competition in school. As I did well, I started undergoing training for it,” said the youth, whose father is a farmer.
Satyapal Singh, head coach, Indian Paraathletics team, said, “Four para-athletes from Delhi will participate in the paralympics. Praveen bagged a silver medal in the Junior World Championship in July 2019 and occupied the fourth place in the Senior World Championship in November 2019. He won a gold in World Grand Prix and created Asia’s record of 2.05 metres in high jump.”
Another Delhi youth, Sharad Kumar, would be participating in the high jump in 42 category.
Her journey, however, has been tough and she overcame many obstacles to reach this position. Lakra, who is wheelchair-bound, said, “I have been training as a wrestler since childhood and have been a national-level player. I always dreamt of representing India. However, during a practice session in November 2017, I sustained an injury and could not walk properly. I was shattered and thought that my life would be confined to a room.”
She was forced to drop out of school for a year due to her injury. “However, I never lost hope. When I came in touch with my current coach Satyapal Singh, he informed me about being a para-athlete. Under his guidance, I started practising for the club throw,” said the Mundka resident. She is currently in Class XII.
“It gives me immense happiness that I will be participating in the paralympics event at such a young age,” said the elated girl. Though she is nervous about the event, Lakra will be flying to Tokyo on August 26 aiming to give her 100% in the competition.
Similarly, despite suffering from a pulled hamstring in her left leg, Simran Sharma (22), who is visually impaired, is determined to give her best in the 100-metre race. “My doctor had initially advised me to go for therapy. I was required to take rest for a month for the treatment of my pulled hamstring. As I cannot compromise with my training, I’m undergoing rehabilitation exercises,” she said.
Her husband, Gajendra Singh, who is a Naik in the Indian Army, is her coach and motivates her a lot. “My husband was a marathon runner, but he quit to support me. I’m not under pressure for a medal, but I will be running in the event with an aim to give my best in the competition,” said Sharma, who started professional training under her husband in 2019.
Praveen Kumar, an 18-year-old physically challenged youth, is excited to participate in the high jump E44 event. Though his training was affected due to the lockdown, Kumar aims to make a jump of at least 2.05 metres. “I used to play volleyball in school and my jump was good. Once I participated in a high jump competition in school. As I did well, I started undergoing training for it,” said the youth, whose father is a farmer.
Satyapal Singh, head coach, Indian Paraathletics team, said, “Four para-athletes from Delhi will participate in the paralympics. Praveen bagged a silver medal in the Junior World Championship in July 2019 and occupied the fourth place in the Senior World Championship in November 2019. He won a gold in World Grand Prix and created Asia’s record of 2.05 metres in high jump.”
Another Delhi youth, Sharad Kumar, would be participating in the high jump in 42 category.
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