Preethi Pal’s journey to the pinnacle of para-athletics is nothing short of inspiring. At the Paris Paralympics 2024, she became the first Indian female track athlete to win two medals, securing a bronze in both the 100m and 200m T35 categories.
Preethi Pal Early Life
Born on September 22, 2000, Preethi Pal grew up in a farming family that faced numerous challenges. From birth, she dealt with significant physical issues. Her legs were weak, and she had an irregular posture that required her lower body to be put in plaster just six days after her birth. This condition made her vulnerable to various ailments, and her early years were marked by traditional treatments aimed at strengthening her legs.
For eight long years, Preethi wore calipers, a daily reminder of the obstacles she needed to overcome. Yet, even in the face of adversity, Preethi’s spirit remained unbroken. Her survival was questioned by many, but she defied the odds, displaying an incredible will to live and thrive.
Preethi Pal Disability
Preeti Pal’s condition aligns with what is commonly known as a form of cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a group of neurological disorders that affect movement and muscle coordination. It often results from brain damage occurring at or before birth.
In Preeti’s case, the physical challenges she faced from birth, including weak legs and an irregular leg posture, are consistent with symptoms of cerebral palsy. This condition can result in spasticity muscle weakness, and difficulties with coordination and movement, all of which she has had to overcome in her journey to Paralympic success.
Preethi Pal Discovering Her Passion: The Real Turning Point
At 17, Preethi’s life took a dramatic turn. Watching the Paralympic Games on social media ignited a spark within her. She saw athletes like herself, overcoming challenges and achieving greatness on the world stage. This realization that she, too, could aspire to such heights became the driving force behind her pursuit of para-athletics.
Preethi began training at a local stadium, but financial constraints made even the simplest things, like transportation, a challenge. With these hurdles, her passion for athletics only grew stronger.
Her life changed significantly when she crossed paths with Fatima Khatoon, a Paralympic athlete who introduced her to the world of para-athletics. Under Fatima’s mentorship, Preethi competed in the 2018 State Para Athletics Championships, marking the beginning of her journey in competitive sports.
Preethi Pal Road to Success
Preethi’s dedication to her craft soon bore fruit as she began competing in national events. Her performances earned her a spot at the Asian Para Games in 2022, where she competed in both the 100m and 200m events. Although she narrowly missed out on a medal, finishing fourth in both events, Preethi’s resolve was only strengthened. She set her sights on the ultimate goal the Paralympic Games.
To do this, Preethi moved to Delhi for training under Coach Gajender Singh. This decision had a major effect on her career. She improved her performance substantially by refining her running techniques and perfecting her talents under his direction. Her unrelenting efforts resulted in her qualification for the Paris Paralympics 2024.
Congratulations to Preethi Pal on winning bronze medal in Women’s 200m – T35 event of the Paris Paralympics. After her 100m bronze, this is her second medal in the Paris Paralympics, an exceptional achievement. Both para-athletics medals for India have been won by her. India is…
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 1, 2024
Preethi Pal Making History: Paris Paralympics 2024
The Paris Paralympics 2024 marked a historic moment in Preethi Pal’s career and in Indian sports history. On Friday, she secured India’s first athletics medal in a Paralympics track event by winning a bronze in the women’s T35 100m category. She clocked a personal best time of 14.21 seconds, an achievement that would have been remarkable on its own. But Preethi wasn’t done yet.
On Sunday, she returned to the track with the same determination that had fueled her journey from the beginning. Competing in the 200m T35 category, Preethi once again pushed herself to the limit.
She faced fierce competition from the world’s best, including Zhou Xia, the world record holder and Tokyo Paralympics champion, who took gold with a time of 28.15 seconds, and Guo Qianqian, also from China, who secured silver with a time of 29.09 seconds.
Undeterred by the pressure, Preethi delivered a personal best time of 30.01 seconds, earning her second bronze medal of the Games. With this victory, Preethi made history as the first Indian female track athlete to win two Paralympic medals.
She also became the second Indian woman to win two medals at a single Paralympics, following shooter Avani Lekhara’s gold and bronze achievements in Tokyo.
The Growing Legacy of Indian Paralympics
Preethi’s success is part of a broader narrative of India’s growing prowess in para-sports. At the Paris Paralympics, India’s contingent of 84 athletes across 12 sports reflects the nation’s expanding para-sports ecosystem.
This year’s participation not only marked India’s largest-ever Paralympic contingent but also a significant rise in medal hopes, as the nation aimed to surpass its previous achievements in Tokyo.
With Preethi’s two bronze medals, India’s total medal count at the Paris Paralympics now stands at six, including one gold, one silver, and four bronzes. These achievements underscore the potential and talent within India’s para-athletics community and set the stage for even greater success in the future.
