Published Sep 04, 2024 | 10:39 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 04, 2024 | 10:39 AM
Deepthi Jeevanji wins bronze medal at the Paris Paralympics. (IndiaembFrance/ X)
On Tuesday, 3 September, Telangana’s Deepthi Jeevanji made history at the Paris Para Olympics. She won a bronze medal at the women’s 400-meter T20 category race, becoming the second Indian to win a medal in a track event at the Paralympics after Preethi Pal, who won two medals on Sunday, 1 September.
The T20 category is meant for athletes with intellectual impairment. Hailing from Warangal, Deepthi’s medal was the 16th in the 2024 Paralympics. The Telangana para athlete completed the race in 55.82 seconds. She finished behind Yuliia Shuliar (55.16 seconds) of Ukraine and world record holder Aysel Onder (55.23) of Turkey.
Born on 27 September, 2003, in Kalleda village, Warangal, Deepthi has become a symbol of resilience and determination, particularly after overcoming significant challenges related to her intellectual impairment.
Deepthi was born to daily wage labourers, Jeevanji Yadhagiri and Dhanalaxmi, who worked on small plots of agricultural land. A physical education teacher first recognized her athletic talent during a ninth-grade school event.
This led to her training under the Sports Authority of India coach and Dronacharya awardee N Ramesh, and later receiving guidance from renowned badminton coach Pullela Gopichand, who encouraged her to pursue para-athletics officially.
Deepthi’s condition made it difficult for her to express herself and learn new techniques quickly. Her coach noted that she required tailored training methods because she could become confused if presented with too much information at once. The coach also recollected that Deepthi couldn’t even afford a bus ticket for training in Hyderabad
Soon, Deepthi started competing in the para-athletes, paving a path of her own.
World Championships: She set a world record in the women’s 400-meter T20 category at the 2024 World Para-Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan, clocking 55.06 seconds on 20 May 2024.
Asian Para Games: In 2023, she won a gold medal at the Asian Para Games, establishing a new Asian record with a time of 56.69 seconds in the 400m T20 event.
As the news of her clinching the bronze came, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya congratulated Deepthi.
The sports minister applauding Deepthi’s win said, “She has triumphed against all odds on the world stage.”
Huge congratulations to Deepthi Jeevanji for winning the bronze medal 🥉 in the Women’s 400M T20 at #Paralympics2024
She has triumphed against all odds on the world stage.
As Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji said, “The determination of our para athletes inspires us all.”… pic.twitter.com/Rx8Hu2yKl9
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) September 3, 2024
The prime minister too congratulated the para-athlete for placing India on the world map.
Congratulations to Deepthi Jeevanji for her spectacular Bronze medal win in the Women’s 400M T20 at #Paralympics2024! She is a source of inspiration for countless people. Her skills and tenacity are commendable. #Cheer4Bharat pic.twitter.com/QqhaERCW0q
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 3, 2024
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula with inputs from Sumit Jha)
