Paris Paralympics 2024 : In a historic achievement for Indian athletics, Preethi Pal has etched her name into the annals of sports history by winning the country’s first ever medal in the 100m T35 event at the Paris Paralympics 2024. With a bronze medal finish and a personal best time of 14.21 seconds, Preethi has not only made her country proud but also paved the way for future generations of para athletes in India.
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Who is Preethi Pal?
Preethi Pal’s journey to Paralympic glory is a tale of perseverance, courage, and unyielding determination. Hailing from a humble farmer’s family, Preethi faced significant physical challenges from birth. Six days after she was born, her lower body was found to be glued, leaving her legs weak and vulnerable to various ailments. Despite undergoing several traditional treatments to strengthen her legs, Preethi’s path to sports stardom was anything but easy.
Her story is one of triumph over adversity. In 2024, she secured two bronze medals at the World Para Athletics Championships in the 100m and 200m events, showcasing her potential on the global stage. Her achievements at the national level are equally impressive, with two gold medals at the Indian Open Para Athletics International Championship and two more at the National Para Athletics Championship in 2024.
Preethi Pal’s Path to Paris
Preethi’s journey to the Paris Paralympics was not without its hurdles. She narrowly missed out on a medal at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou in 2023, finishing fourth. However, this setback only fueled her determination to succeed on the world stage. Her bronze medal at the World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe earlier this year secured her ticket to Paris, where she would go on to make history.
Competing in her maiden Paralympics, the 23 year old sprinter saved her best performance for the grandest stage of all. Running in the T35 class, which is designated for athletes with coordination impairments like hypertonia, ataxia, and athetosis, Preethi clocked a personal best time of 14.21 seconds in the 100m final. She finished behind the Chinese duo of Xia Zhou and Qianqian Guo, who claimed gold and silver, respectively.
Preethi’s bronze medal in Paris is a monumental achievement for Indian athletics, marking the country’s first-ever Paralympic medal in a track event. Her success is not just a personal victory but a significant milestone for the entire Indian para sports community.
Preethi’s triumph adds to India’s growing medal tally at the Paris Paralympics 2024, which already includes gold and bronze in shooting events from Avani Lekhara and Mona Agarwal, respectively. Her achievement is a testament to her resilience and determination, as well as the support system that has enabled her to compete at the highest level.
Preethi Pal’s journey is far from over. She is set to compete in the women’s 200m T35 final on Sunday, where she hopes to add another medal to her collection. Her training base in New Delhi, where she has been working alongside some of India’s top para athletes, has been instrumental in her development. The move has significantly improved her as a runner, helping her refine her technique, diet, and overall approach to the sport.
As Preethi continues to inspire millions with her performance, her story serves as a reminder that with dedication and hard work, even the most challenging obstacles can be overcome. Her historic bronze medal at the Paris Paralympics is just the beginning, and the world eagerly awaits what she will achieve next.
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