The First Indian Woman to Medal in Track Events at the Games
Preethi Pal just made history recently and became the first Indian Woman to win a medal for track in the Paralympics. Pal won bronze in the Women’s T35 100m event with a personal best of 14.21 seconds, becoming India’s first track medalist at the Games. However, Pal did not stop there. She went on and continued her historical journey by winning another Bronze in the T35 200m event. This has made her the first Indian woman to win two medals in the same Paralympic Games.
Early Life
From the moment Pal was born, she encountered many hurdles. She was born with cerebral palsy, which caused a fight in everyday life from the moment she took her first breath to now. She had all kinds of treatment, including the braces she wore to straighten her legs and feet out as well as many injections. Pal took on these treatments and tough times head-on and eventually learned how to live her life despite her medical condition.
Pal had never heard of the Paralympic Games before the age of 18. It was not until she came across social media promoting Paralympic athletes and showcasing their skills as they went on to compete. This intrigued Pal. She explains in an interview with Soni Narang, “I had seen videos of blade runners [runners with prosthetic legs], and I thought if they’re running, so can I.” Pal was determined and earned the support of her family, especially her father, after winning her first medal in a state competition. From that moment forward, she was determined to train and make an appearance at the Paralympic Games.
Pal Competes and Inspires While Doing So
Pal made an appearance in the Asian 2022 Games but did not medal. Although she faced a time of doubt in her abilities, she overcame them and was guided by an important mentor. That mentor was her coach, Gajender Singh. Pal explains that she owes a lot of her success to her Singh.
The remarkable female athlete has been through a lot but continuously works hard at everything she does. Because of this, she inspires and displays a vast amount of character that most aspire to have. Pal has made history, not only for her country but also for women’s sports, paving the way for future generations of athletes.
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