With Bronze In Women's 200M, Preethi Pal Bags 2nd Medal At Paris Paralympics

Preethi Pal clinched a Bronze medal for India at the Paris Paralympics 2024 in the Women's 200m T35 event on September 1, days after also winning Bronze in the 100m T35. The 24-year-old sprinted to glory as she recorded 30.01 seconds to claim third place. The para-athlete from Uttar Pradesh's Meerut is the first and only track athlete to win a medal at the Paralympics and sprints double. Pal finished behind China's Xia Zhou, who claimed the gold, and Guo Qianqian, who won the silver medal.

On August 30, Pal won a Bronze medal after clocking her personal best record of 14.21 seconds. Speaking about her historic win, Pal told the Indian Express, "This was my first Paralympics and I am yet to believe that I have won a medal. I am feeling proud that I have won India’s first track medal in the Paralympics."

Preethi Pal's Story

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a young age, Preethi Pal defied many odds from a young age. Just days after her birth, her lower body was plastered. With weak legs and an irregular leg posture, making her prone to various diseases. She underwent various treatments to strengthen her limbs.

A historic achievement by Preeti Pal, as she wins her second medal in the same edition of the #Paralympics2024 with a Bronze in the Women’s 200m T35 event! She is an inspiration for the people of India. Her dedication is truly remarkable. #Cheer4Bharat pic.twitter.com/4q3IPJDUII

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 1, 2024

According to the Indian Express, Pal wore callipers from the age of five to 13. She overcame many conditions to pursue her passion for athletics. Coming from a small town with limited opportunities for para-athletes, Pal's journey is a reminder of the transformative power of perseverance and dedication. 

At the age of 17, Pal got the chance to train with Paralympic athlete Fatima Khatoon, who mentored her and led her to compete in many State-level meets. She moved to Meerut, which has produced some of the best athletes but could not find a synthetic track facility for her needs. Thus, she moved to New Delhi.

Her inclusion in the Khelo India scheme marked a turning point in her career, providing her with access to training facilities at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Under the guidance of her coach, Gajendar Singh, Pal underwent a remarkable transformation, fine-tuning her technique and enhancing her performance. 

Preethi Pal: History at World Para Athletics Championships

In May 2024, Preethi Pal clinched the bronze medal in the women's T35 200m event at the World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan, clocking an impressive time of 30.49 seconds and etching her name in the history of sporting glory. She became the first Indian woman to clinch a medal in the fiercely competitive 200-meter event at the World Para Athletics Championships.