Rubina Francis

Rubina Francis Takes Home The Arjuna Award 2024

Rubina Francis is set to receive the prestigious Arjuna Award from the President of India, Sri Droupadi Murmu, on January 17th, 2025. The Arjuna Award is given for her appreciation of her brilliant performances and excellence in para-shooting.

A Bit More About The Arjuna Award

In recognition of excellence in sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports institutes the award with outstanding performances by an individual or a team as a group in international competition; the most prized sporting awards that existed in the country, with the exception of the coveted award known as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award which began in the 1991-92 years, was Arjuna Award.

Rubina Francis’ Early Days

Rubina Francis was born with talipes, also commonly known as clubfoot, meaning that it wasn’t easy to stand steadily over the target-being one of the most basic conditions of shooting games. Yet she never let such a condition prevail over her. Rubina Francis seemed rather to derive a kind of energetic strength from what was, of course, both the challenge-and the necessity-for all that had to be left outside.

However, with all these, Rubina Francis was also shooting from the seated position on an early stage that made the sport already demanding much more tricky. But her spirit was never broken down and with the full support of some coaches who found solutions to every stopper, she could finally hone her technique in shooting.

Rubina Francis’ Road To Glory

Rubina Francis’ competitive para-shooting entry began seriously when she entered MP Shooting Academy in 2015. Nautiyal, Subhash Rana and other coaches eventually shone through her potential. One of the main turning points came when she participated in the France World Cup of 2018. A tournament where she realized what her main target was: first, something she had to obtain would be a Paralympic quota. Perseverance with training helped place her firmly on the map towards international glory.

That grueling pay off was, in 2021, for a silver in the Para World Championships held at Lima, Peru, followed with a bronze in the Para Asian Games hosted at China. However, it only got to a whole new dimension when, this time around at the Paris Paralympics in 2024, where Rubina Francis clinched women’s 10m air pistol SH1 bronzes in women’s categories. Rubina Francis is the first pistol shooter from India to win a Paralympic medal. With her final score of 211.1, she sealed the rightful podium spot.

Rubina Francis’ Parents Become A Major Support

Rubina Francis’s success story not only speaks about individual grit, but also the support from her family with no conditions at all. Rubina Francis’ father runs a garage and the mother is a nurse. However, despite a lot of financial issues, they never let their child down; instead, they motivated and empowered her at every stage. The strong support of the family has made it easier and possible for Rubina Francis to pursue her interest and shatter barriers while pursuing it.

How Rubina Francis Is An Icon For Generations To Come?

This has brought Rubina Francis’ name into the history books of the Paralympics. Success she brought in her life, also inspired the aspirant athletes of India, especially those with disabilities, to reach newer heights in life.

Rubina Francis To Receive Arjuna Award

Rubina Francis is now set to win the Arjuna Award. She has been known to narrate a story much more substantial than just medals and victory in shooting competitions since her tale portrays strength in human spirits, determination powers and focuses more on not losing hope or letting dreams fade regardless of how improbable it is.

Rubina Francis showed that nothing was impossible and para-shooting will continue inspiring numerous athletes to compete with pride, come future generations.

The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye

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