Rajesh K, won at the Khelo India Para Games, clinching gold in the 200m T64 category and showcasing remarkable strength.
Published Dec 13, 2023 | 5:00 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 13, 2023 | 5:00 PM
Rajesh K emerged victorious at the Khelo India Para Games, winning gold in the 200m T64 category. (Press Information Bureau)
Life has been challenging for Tamil Nadu blade runner Rajesh K since he was about 10 months old. However, he has faced every challenge with utmost conviction and inspires people back home.
Participating in the first-ever Khelo India Para Games, Rajesh won the 200m gold medal in the T64 category and finished fifth in the long jump.
His feat was beamed live on a big screen at his Alma Mater, Annai Vailankanni College in Tambaram, Tamil Nadu, thousands of kilometres away because the college administration wanted every student to take inspiration from Rajesh’s courageous story.
Born normal, Rajesh had an infection in his legs that required amputation after poison spread following a syringe needle break when he was just 10 months old.
Wearing prosthetics since he was 10 months old, Rajesh faced another personal setback when he was in class VII, as his parents separated. Since then, he and his twin brother were raised by their grandfather, who drives an autorickshaw.
Rajesh aims to participate in the Paralympics and Para Asian Games.
(Press Information Bureau)
Rajesh drew inspiration from Rio Paralympics gold medalist Mariyappan Thangavelu and aspires to represent the country in the quadrennial showpiece.
“I have been blade running for the last five or six years. I started my journey in 2018 but was inspired in 2016 after watching Mariyappan Thangavelu win the T42 category high jump gold medal on television at the Rio Paralympics. Since then, I had decided that I too want to become a Paralympian,” Rajesh said.
Rajesh was introduced to blade running on the advice of a friend who connected him with Tamil Nadu’s first wheelchair player, Vijay.
“When I met him at Nehru Stadium, he advised me to take up blade running. I started practising in 2018 and participated in Nationals twice. I won the bronze medal in the 21st Para Nationals held in Pune in March 2023. After this, the Tamil Nadu government provided me with a new blade, which costs ₹7.50 lakh,” he recalled.
Rajesh further expressed his aim to participate in Paralympics and Para Asian Games.
“I want to win medals for the country in Paralympics and Para Asian Games. I am preparing for the Para Nationals to be held in Goa from 9 to 15 January. The warmer climate there will enhance my performance. After this, I aim to prepare for the Grand Prix in Dubai in February 2024,” he said.
Rajesh currently trains under the supervision of Nitin Choudhary at the SAI Center in Gandhinagar.
