Kapil Parmar Makes History by Winning India’s First Paralympic Medal in Judo

In a remarkable achievement, Indian judoka Kapil Parmar has secured India’s first-ever Paralympic medal in judo at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. In the men’s -60kg J1 category, Parmar won a bronze medal by defeating Brazil’s Elielton de Oliveira in a swift match that concluded in just 33 seconds with an impressive Ippon.

This victory has elevated India’s overall medal tally to 25, which includes 5 gold, 9 silver, and 11 bronze medals. In the semifinals, however, the 24-year-old Parmar faced a setback, losing to Iran‘s S. Banitaba Khorram Abadi with a score of 0-10.

The J1 class is designated for athletes with no to very low visual acuity, and competitors in this category wear red circles to indicate their need for guided assistance during matches. Earlier in the competition, Parmar showcased his skills by defeating Venezuela’s Marco Dennis Blanco with a commanding score of 10-0 in the quarterfinals.

Despite receiving yellow cards in both his matches today, Parmar’s determination and talent shone through. He is the youngest among four brothers and a sister, hailing from Shivor, a village in Madhya Pradesh. His father works as a taxi driver, and his sister runs a primary school.

As a child, Kapil endured a traumatic experience when he survived a severe electric shock after accidentally touching a water pump while playing in the fields, which left him in a coma. His journey to this monumental achievement demonstrates incredible resilience and dedication to his sport.