Paralympics: Sprinter Preethi Pal wins second medal

New Delhi, Sept 2: Indian sprinter Preethi Pal has etched her name into the history books by clinching bronze in the women’s 200m T35 event at the 2024 Paralympics. With this achievement, she becomes the first Indian woman athlete to win two medals in track and field at either the Paralympics or Olympics.

Pal, who clocked a personal best of 30.01 seconds, finished behind the Chinese duo of Xia Zhou and Guo Qianqian. Zhou claimed gold with a time of 28.15 seconds, while Qianqian secured silver with a time of 29.09 seconds.

Earlier in the competition, the 23-year-old sprinter earned another bronze in the women’s 100m T35. Pal achieved a personal best of 14.21 seconds in the final, finishing third. In this event as well, Xia Zhou won gold with a time of 13.58 seconds, and Guo Qianqian took silver with a time of 13.74 seconds.

Preethi Pal’s journey to these remarkable achievements has been a testament to her resilience. Born into a farmer's family in rural Uttar Pradesh, she faced significant physical challenges from birth. Her lower body was plastered for six days after birth, and she struggled with weak legs and irregular leg posture, making her prone to various health issues.

Despite these difficulties, Pal showed incredible strength and determination. She underwent traditional treatments to strengthen her legs and wore calipers from the age of five for eight years. Many doubted her survival, but Pal’s perseverance led her to overcome these challenges.

Her interest in para-sports was sparked at 17, after watching Paralympic clips on social media. Her athletic career took a pivotal turn when she met her mentor, Paralympian Fathima Khatoon. Encouraged by Khatoon, Pal began competing in district, state, and national events, eventually making her international debut at the Asian Para Games last year.

To prepare for the Paris Paralympic Games, Pal relocated to New Delhi, where she trained under coach Gajender Singh at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. With Singh's guidance, Pal honed her running techniques, leading to significant improvements in her performance.

Pal’s hard work and dedication paid off at the World Para Athletics Championship in 2024, where she earned bronze medals in both the 100m and 200m events. Her recent successes at the Paralympics further cement her status as a trailblazer in Indian athletics.