Reliance Foundation And Nita Ambani Rewards Indian Olympians And Paralympians at ‘United in Triumph’
The Reliance Foundation under Nita M. Ambani hosted ‘United in Triumph’ at Antilia, Mumbai, in celebration of the Olympic and Paralympic athletes of India. It happened after India’s record-breaking performance in the Paris Paralympics 2024, wherein Indian athletes grabbed 29 medals, out of which, seven were gold medals. Nita Ambani throws spotlight on sporting excellence and equality Speaking to over 140 Olympians and Paralympians, Nita Ambani specifically focused on the unifying strength of sport. She saluted their collective efforts, stating how Indian athletes have proudly taken the tricolor to the world in recent months. Mrs. Ambani also spoke of the challenges that female athletes face in India, mostly from rural backgrounds, who defy societal and economic odds to succeed in the international arena. She extolled the achievement of making a powerful statement to teenage girls that nothing is impossible. Akash Ambani Wonders at Athletes’ Influence and Mother’s Vision Akash Ambani thanked the athletes as a source of inspiration for which he credits to his mother, Nita Ambani, who visualized the event and is working to help towards the vision of an inclusive sporting culture in India. Celebration of Sporting Icons from India and Stars in the Rise The event salutes Olympic and Paralympic legends like Neeraj Chopra, Manu Bhaker and Devendra Jhajharia, among others, however also acknowledges some of the faces for the future, such as the young Dhinidhi Desinghu, who is the youngest Indian athlete competing at Paris 2024. A Special Tribute to Nita Ambani’s Contribution In a special gesture, Paralympic champions Devendra Jhajharia and Sumit Antil presented the torch of the Paris Paralympics 2024 to Nita Ambani. This was in recognition of her contributions to inclusive sports development. Event Enthused On Inclusivity and Excellence An event like ‘United in Triumph’ is a defining moment for Indian sports, exemplifying the need for inclusivity and excellence in all arenas. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Rakshitha Raju: From Small-Town Tracks to the Paralympics
In the Chikkamagaluru region of Karnataka, little Rakshitha Raju found her passion for running on the grounds of Ashakirana School for the Blind. Blind by birth and orphaned early in life, brought up by her grandmother, Rakshitha Raju fought various disabilities. After all, who needs sight when you have a vision? Rakshitha’s legs had become the guiding compass to a future she had never imagined. Running Away. Into Opportunity A dream of only traveling grew bigger. Rakshitha Raju’s physical education teacher told her that running could take her farther-literally. From city to city, state to state, her legs were her ticket to adventure. Coach Rahul: The Game Changer Then came the game-changer in the form of coach, Rahul Balakrishna. An eye for talent and a heart full of belief, Rahul didn’t just train Rakshitha Raju-invest he did. He even took out a Rs 2 lakh loan to fuel her dreams. Talk about commitment! Together they stormed international competitions, grabbing gold at the World Para Athletics Junior Championships and the Asian Para Games. Hers is much more than a story of medals; it is about outrunning limitations, silencing doubters and chasing dreams with every step. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris Paralympics 2024: Kapil Parmar’s Bronze Blitz: India’s Para Judo Trailblazer
Kapil Parmar created history by securing India’s first bronze medal in para judo at the Paris Paralympics 2024. On Thursday, Parmar simply outclassed his opponent, Brazil’s Elielton de Oliveira, in the men’s 60kg (J1) category with an absolute thrashing of 10-0. Talk about a convincing victory! From the small village to big leagues Kapil, the Judo sensation from Shivor-a teeny village in Madhya Pradesh, that is only large enough to have a mishap with the water pump. Being the youngest of five siblings, his dad drives a taxi, while his sister runs a school; one would think Parmar’s story was the script for a real-life underdog movie. His middle brother is a judo enthusiast and joined him for training. Family squad goals! Lightning Start to a Judo Career Kapil Parmar’s path to the Paralympics was not easy. As a kid, he had received a shock when he came in contact with a water pump and slipped into a six-month-long coma. Powering up blindsided, he used this as an opening he could bank on in blind judo, initiated by his ever-inspiring mentors Bhagwan Das and Manoj Sir. Medal Mania How is that for being on a roll? Kapil Parmar’s trophy cabinet has started looking like a judo jackpot. From silver at the Asian Para Games 2022 to golds at the Commonwealth Championships and IBSA Judo Grand Prix in 2024, the medals have been coming as if he is collecting them for the end of their fashion. Add to this a bronze at the IBSA World Games in 2023 and it becomes clear: Kapil is on a winning streak that is raising a storm. So here’s to Kapil Parmar-India’s para judo trailblazer, who showed the rest of us with grit and grace, even from a village as unlikely as anything, the birth of a champion was possible! The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris Paralympics 2024: Narayana Konganapalle’s Journey From Landmine to Lifeline
Life can change in a blink – or, in the case of Narayana Konganapalle, with one step. Just seven days before the completion of his tenure in Jammu and Kashmir, Narayana stepped on a landmine. His world exploded, quite literally, with his leg blown off below the knee. Newly married and eager to go home, this was not quite the homecoming he had in mind. What do you do when the direction of your life changes so suddenly? If you are Narayana, you resort to sports and in the process create a saga of grit and willpower that may motivate an entire nation. Prosthetics and Perseverance Months in hospital passed, and Narayana did not know how to impart the news to both his parents and his wife. He kept the secret and his spirit intact, finding hope in the form of a prosthetic limb at Pune’s Artificial Limb Centre. A year after that incident, Narayana was walking again, and he was getting ready for an all-new adventure. And it wasn’t your regular post-army career move either. From Border Patrol to Rowing Royalty Narayana’s venture into sports began with javelin, but running did not agree with his newly fitted leg. In came rowing. Within one year of this, he was killing it-inning medals at the 2019 Poland Championship and bringing home bronze from the World Rowing Cup and the Asian Championships. The second master of this former sepoy, once guarding India’s borders, was now creating waves-quite literally-on the world stage, along with his rowing partner, Kuldeep Singh, another soldier with a story of resilience. Together they snagged bronze at the 2022 World Cup. Rowing with a Twist Just when you thought his story couldn’t get more epic, the 2023 Para-Asian Games threw in a curveball. The men’s event was scratched and Narayana needed a new partner. Along came Anita, another amputee of fighting spirit. With just eight months of training, this time the dynamic duo began to row their way into silver in the Para-Asian Games and faster than it takes to say the word “underdog,” qualified in the Paralympics of 2024. Not bad for two people that a few years prior had to relearn how to walk! First a soldier, then a rower-Narayana’s story is one of life’s quirky little twists and turns that you can’t help but enjoy. From battlefield to the lanes, his story showed that no matter how fantastically life decides to blow up in your face-or leg-there’s always a way to row forward. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Each one of you has overcome the challenges life has presented and emerged as winners: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, today felicitated the members of the Indian Para-athletics contingent on their triumphant return to India after their outstanding performances at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Union Minister felicitated the athletes, coaches, and support staff during the ceremony. Addressing the contingent, Dr. Mandaviya expressed his admiration and appreciation for their remarkable achievements, stating: “I am thrilled to meet six Paralympics debutant athletes today. I want to congratulate Deepthi on winning a medal in her very first participation in this prestigious event. To the others, I give you my best wishes for the future Paralympics, where I am confident you will win medals. Remember, playing is not just about medals, each one of you has overcome the challenges life has presented and emerged as winners. You are all an inspiration to millions of youth across India.” Among those present were athlete Deepthi Jeevanji, who won the bronze in the Women’s 400m T20 category on her Paralympic debut, and her fellow debutant athletes Ravi Rongali (Men’s Shotput F40), Rakshita Raju (Women’s 1500m T11), Kanchan Lakhani (Women’s Discus Throw F53), Sakshi Kasana (Women’s Discus Throw F55), and Manu (Men’s Shotput F37), along with their coaches Rahul Balakrishna, Suresh Kumar Kuruba, Sunil Lakhani, and escort. Deepthi, whose talent was discovered by SAI coach N Ramesh in Hyderabad, started her para-athletics journey in 2019. She has been a Khelo India athlete since 2018 and is now a TOPS athlete. In a short period, she has won many international competitions including a God Medal at the Asian Para Games and a Gold Medal at the 2024 World Championship, where she broke the world record. In the domestic circuit, she made a mark by winning two medals at the Khelo India Youth Games in 2020. After the felicitation programme, Deepthi said, “I am so happy that I could win a medal for the country. I won a bronze medal now, but I will try to win a gold next time.” India has bagged a total of 24 medals, including 5 Gold, 9 Silver and 10 Bronze medals, as on the end of the day’s events on September 4, 2024. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris Paralympics 2024: From Roller Hockey to Wheelchair Hero: The Unstoppable Pranav Soorma
Pranav Soorma was your regular sports-loving teenager, zipping through roller hockey matches, smashing sixes on the cricket field. That was until life threw him the ultimate curveball at 16. A freak accident-where a cement sheet fell on his head-changed it all, leaving him paralyzed and facing a future in a wheelchair. Wheelchair? No Problem! Let’s Crush Exams Instead For most, that would be game over. Not for Pranav Soorma. With a razor-sharp mind and 91.2% in the 12th boards-yes, you read that right-he planned his coup in academics by doing a degree in Economics from the prestigious Delhi School of Economics and landed a plum role as an Assistant Manager at Bank of Baroda. The power move! Para Sports: Love at Second Sight And then, the most unlikely comeback happened. Pranav Soorma went back to loving sports this time on wheels. Enter para athletics! It wasn’t long before he crushed the competition: a silver at the 2019 Beijing Grand Prix and gold at the Serbia Open 2023. His ultimate flex? Smashing a throw of 30.01m at the 2023 Asian Para Games with a new record for the men’s club throw F51 event. Boom! The Real MVPs: Team Soorma, aka His Fam Here’s the kicker-Pranav Soorma didn’t do it alone. His dad, Sanjeev, quit to become his full-time sports sidekick, while his mom held down the fort as his biggest cheerleader. With their backing, Pranav Soorma’s story isn’t just about medals; it is of grit, family, and turning life’s wildest challenges into pure gold. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris Paralympics 2024: Dharambir’s Golden Throw Breaks Records
India’s Dharambir catapulted himself into history books with a sensational gold medal win in the men’s club throw F51 event at the Paris Paralympics 2024. A Victory of Records While the 35-year-old boy from Sonipat, Haryana, won gold and topped the podium, the sensational throw of 34.92m also broke the Asian record. And just for kicks? He did it on his fifth attempt – talk about saving the best for last! Double Delight for India And here comes the cherry on the cake: compatriot Pranav Soorma took the silver, thus ensuring a fantastic 1-2 finish for India. The victory took India’s medal count to 24 in this particular edition of the Paris Paralympic Games-higher than ever for the nation! As such, India has moved up to an overall ranking of 13th and is having quite a time in the Paris Paralympics. Dharambir’s Story: An Inspiring One Dharambir’s tale goes far beyond the winning throw. Quite literally, a tragic accident while diving in a canal in his village that left him without the use of his lower body below the waist saw him take life lying down; he soared over. Guided by mentor and para-athlete Amit Kumar Saroha, Dharambir dived head-first into para-sports in 2014, qualifying for the 2016 Rio Paralympics just two years later. Thence, he has picked up medals right, left, and center, including two silvers each at the Asian Para Games and a bronze at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships. Resilience Pays Off Indeed, he has achieved some serious success, and no wonder it saw him snatching the Bhim Award in 2022. With government support behind him, Dharambir surely proved that nothing was too big-or too far away-for him to surmount. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris Paralympics 2024: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Felicitates Indian Para-Badminton Team for Historical Podium Finish At The Games
In the presence of Hon’ble Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the felicitation of the Indian Para-Badminton team was carried out in New Delhi for its spectacular performance at the Paris Paralympics 2024. The contingent returned to India with their best-ever performance in Para-Badminton, securing a total of five medals-one Gold, two Silver, and two Bronze. Appreciation Expressing his pride, Dr. Mandaviya congratulated the athletes: “You have made the entire nation proud with your outstanding performance. Your dedication and spirit have set a new benchmark for Indian sports” He also encouraged those who narrowly missed out on medals, underlining that their experiences weren’t a loss: “We haven’t lost medals, we have gained invaluable experience. I am confident that in the future Paralympics, our medal count will further rise, and each of you will emerge as winners.” he assured. India’s Steady Progress in Sports Dr. Mandaviya also spoke of the gradual rise of India at international sports over a decade and elaborated, “In the last 10 years, we have continuously improved our performance, proving our mettle on the global stage,” He reassured the government of its commitment to increasing support for para-athletes by providing better facilities, training, and opportunities to excel. Medal Winners The champions in Para-Badminton were Nitesh Kumar (Gold), Suhas LY (Silver), Thulasimathi Murugesan (Silver), Nithya Sre (Bronze), and Manisha Ramadass (Bronze). Their efforts helped India overtake the number of medals it won at the Tokyo Paralympics, with a total of 20 medals so far as of September 3, 2024. Recognition of Support by Government The athletes thanked the government, especially for its support under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme, which helped to provide them with facilities and resources that were imperative to win on the international front. Notably, the Government of India sanctioned 19 exposure trips abroad for the 13 para shuttlers who played in the games, proving a strong support system for the winners. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris Paralympics 2024: From Sangli to Silver: Sachin Khilari’s Shot Put Heroics
There’s a new underdog story in town, and it’s packing a punch. Sachin Khilari, India’s shot put sensation, has just snagged a dazzling silver medal at the Paris Paralympics 2024, launching his way into the spotlight with a throw of 16.32 meters. It was an incredibly nail-biting finish, falling a mere 0.06 meters short of gold. From Village to Podium Born and brought up in Karagani village, Sangli, Maharashtra, Sachin’s life may have appeared to be going off track after a school accident left him with a disability in his left hand. However, rather than letting this setback weigh him down, he decided to toss his troubles aside and dive head-first into para athletics in 2015. Sachin then tried his shot at the NAtional games and struck gold in 2017. Talk about a comeback! A Blockbuster Journey The journey of Sachin from a small village to the grand stage of the Paralympics is nothing less than a Bollywood blockbuster. He is not only breaking records but is breaking them comprehensively. His silver medal in Paris is India’s 21st medal of the Games-a new national record. And, oh yeah-forget that he is also a mechanical engineer and a part-time educator. Who knew shot puts and chalkboards go so well together? The Silver-Shot Superstar A heart as big as the size of his throws itself; Sachin’s story goes on to prove that none of the toughest throws in life can stand a chance against sheer determination. Here’s to Sachin-the silver-shot superhero of the Paralympics! The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris Paralympics 2024: Nishad Kumar: From Fields to Fame
From the fields of Himachal Pradesh to the Paralympic podium, Nishad Kumar surely jumped his way into the history pages—and our hearts. The high-jumping sensation of Badaun village was not only aiming for the sky but promisingly was determined to make it his stage and at Paris Paralympics 2024 he did exactly that, leaping over 2.04 m for a shiny silver medal. A Journey Unlike Any Other Nishad Kumar is no run-of-the-mill sports story. A six-year-old at the time, he was helping out on his family’s farm when an accident with the fodder-cutting machine took his right arm away. For most people, that would have been a psychological end to their life. But not Nishad. He got up and no sooner did he get up from the incident than he was sprinting and jumping his way through school competitions, leaving everyone-be they two arms or none-behind in dust. Rise Through the Ranks It was in 2017 that Nishad Kumar entered the world of para-athletics. Then came coaches Naseem Ahamed and Vikram Chaudhary, who saw that the lanky youngster was something special. Whittling away with serious training, while taking a cue from TV for the high jump technique, yes, TV, he traversed from 1.55 meters to soar over 2 meters. Tokyo Triumph Cut to Tokyo, where the ultimate test awaited Nishad Kumar amidst a sea of seriously talented competition. With a new coach, the inimitable Satyanarayan, he parlayed a heart as big as his jumps into a silver medal performance, nipping another American by the thinnest of margins. Podium At Paris Now the 24 year old Nishad Kumar secured a silver medal at the Paris Paralympics 2024 with his 2.04m leap. This was Nishad Kumar’s second podium finish. What’s Next? What’s next for Nishad, then? More records, more medals, maybe jumping over the moon one day. For sure, Nishad Kumar is not a high jumper. He is a high-flyer and all of us are just onlookers. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
