Preethi Pal Secures Historic Bronze for India at Paris Paralympics

India‘s track and field achievements at the Paris Paralympics commenced on a high note with sprinter Preethi Pal clinching a bronze medal in the Women's 100m – T35 Final at Stade de France. The 23-year-old athlete recorded a personal best time of 14.21 seconds, which marked a significant milestone in her career.

Preethi’s remarkable performance saw her finish behind China’s Zhou Xia, who secured gold with a time of 13.58 seconds, and her compatriot Guo Qianqian, who took silver with 13.74 seconds. This bronze medal is especially noteworthy as it represents India’s first medal in para-athletics at the Paralympics.

Hailing from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, Preethi faced numerous physical adversities since birth, requiring her lower body to be plastered for six days after her arrival. With weak legs and irregular posture, she was susceptible to various health complications. To strengthen her legs, Preethi underwent traditional treatments and began using callipers at the age of five, continuing to do so for eight years.

Despite the challenges, Preethi’s resilience led her to discover her passion for para-sports at the age of 17, sparked by her exposure to the Paralympic Games via social media. Mentored by Paralympian Fathima Khatoon, she participated in several competitions and made her international debut at the Asian Para Games in 2023.

To pursue her aspirations for the Paris Paralympics, Preethi relocated to New Delhi to train under coach Gajender Singh at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. With focused training and refinement of her running techniques, she achieved significant improvements in her performance.

Preethi’s hard work paid off as she won bronze in both the 100m and 200m events at the World Para Athletics Championship in 2024. Her dedication culminated in her glorious achievement at the Paralympics, successfully fulfilling her aspirations on the international stage.