Preethi Pal created history, India got another medal

Preethi Pal from Muzaffarnagar won bronze model in the women’s 100m T35 race at the Paralympics.

India got the third medal in the Paralympics at the 2024 Summer Games in Paris. Mana Agrawal won the first medal for India in shooting, after which Avani Lekhara won gold medals for India. Avani Lekhara Wins Gold in 10m Air Rifle at Paralympics 2024. On Friday 30 August 2024, Preethi Pal made history by becoming the first person from India to win a medal in para athletics at the Paralympic Games. At the 2024 Summer Games in Paris, the para-athlete from Muzaffarnagar won bronze in the women’s 100-meter T35 race with a personal best time of 14.21. Xia Zhou and Qianqian Guo from China took home the gold and silver medals, respectively, with times of 13.58 and 13.74. Athletes with impairments in their coordination, including those with hypertonia, ataxia, athetosis, and cerebral palsy, fall under the T35 classification.

Who is Preethi Pal?

Preethi Pal was born on September 22, 2000, into a family of farmers. Her lower body was plastered six days after her birth, posing serious physical challenges. She is more vulnerable to different diseases because of her weak legs and atypical leg posture. To make her legs stronger, she had a number of conventional treatments. She began wearing calipers at the age of five and continued to use them for eight years. Even though a lot of people said it was hard for her to live, Preethi demonstrated what it means to be a true fighter by facing death head-on with bravery and struggle.

When Preethi, then 17 years old, saw the Paralympic Games on social media, her viewpoint was altered. Preethi was so motivated by this that she made the decision to pursue her goals. After that, Preethi practiced nonstop, and even though she was having financial problems, she was committed to realizing her dream.

Pal’s interest in Paralympic sports grew when she was seventeen years old.

Preethi’s life changed when she met Paralympic athlete Fatima Khatun, who guided her towards para-athletics. When Preeti saw the Paralympic Games on social media at the age of 17, it altered her perspective. Preethi then kept up her practice, determined to achieve her dream even in the face of financial hardship.

Preethi participated in multiple national events and the State Para Athletics Championships in 2018 with the assistance of Fatima. Her efforts paid off as she placed fourth in both the 100- and 200-meter sprints at the Asian Para Games in 2022. Preethi did not lose courage and gave the Paralympic Games her whole attention even though she did not medal at the Asian Para Games. She began working out in Delhi with coach Gajendra Singh, who helped her develop her running style. She was chosen for the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships thanks to her commitment and diligence, and there she represented her nation with bronze in the 100 and 200 meters.