Page 68 - Sportability

Q: Can you tell us about your sports journey, from that Q: From whom in your family did you draw inspiration?
time until now? A: Initially, no one was ready to let me pursue sports.
A: Back when I was in school, even though it was a CBSE But when I was going to compete at the cluster level, my
school, there was little awareness about para-sports. father said, “If you bring home a medal, I’ll think about
Still, I would go to compete at the school and CBSE letting you go further.” So, I went with the sole thought
cluster level and win medals. I even participated in the that I had to bring home a medal, and I returned with
first Khelo India games, where I placed sixth because I a bronze so that my father would let me continue in
fell ill. But later, when I went to compete at the district sports. My mother never stopped me. She always said,
level, I learned about para-sports. Then I started talking “Do what makes you happy, stay happy, and do what you
to kids, and that’s when I met Ashok Saini Sir in Noida, want.”
who told me about Coach Satyapal Sir.
It often happens that parents decide what their child
When I learned about Satyapal Sir, I went to him for a should become. My brother and father used to discuss
trial, and from then on, he took care of everything. He what I should do, from accounting to biology. But I said
told me I wouldn’t need to spend anything and that he that I only wanted to pursue sports.
would handle it all; I just had to come and train.
Q: Have you ever met the Prime Minister?
Q: What achievements have you had so far? In which A: Yes! Three times!
competitions have you participated, and what medals
have you won?
A: Recently, I won a gold medal at the Asian Games,
along with setting an Asian record. I also have a silver
medal from the Tokyo Olympics, a bronze from the
World Championship, a silver from the Junior World
Championship, and a gold from the World Grand Prix.

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