Paris 2024 Paralympics: Preethi Pal Claims Bronze Medal in Women’s 100m T35 – News18

Preethi Pal claimed the bronze medal in women’s Women’s 100m – T35 to hand India its third medal of the games after Avani Lekhara and Mona Agarwal opened India’s account at the Games with Gold and Bronze medal finishes in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event on Friday.

Pal posted a time of 14.21s, her personal best to clinch the third spot. China’s Xia Zhou claimed gold with a timing of 13.58s defending her crown from Tokyo Paralympics, while her counterpart Qianqian Gou won silver with a timing of 13.74s.

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Born on September 22, 2000, into a farmer’s family, Preeti’s early life was fraught with challenges. Six days after her birth, her lower body was plastered due to weak legs and an irregular leg posture, making her susceptible to various health issues. At the tender age of five, she began wearing calipers, which she continued for eight years, defying all odds and proving her strength.

It was at the age of 17 that Preeti found inspiration in the Paralympic Games. Watching the athletes’ performances on social media ignited a spark within her, and she realized that she, too, could chase her dreams. However, financial constraints made her training difficult. Her fortunes changed when she crossed paths with Fatima Khatoon, a Paralympic athlete who introduced her to the world of para-athletics.

With Fatima’s encouragement, Preeti participated in the State Para Athletics Championships in 2018, marking the beginning of her competitive career. Her hard work and determination soon bore fruit when she qualified for the Asian Para Games 2022, finishing 4th in both the 100m and 200m sprints. Though she narrowly missed out on a podium finish, the experience fueled her desire to aim higher.

Relocating to Delhi to train under Coach Gajender Singh at the SAI JLN Stadium, Preeti refined her techniques and improved her performance significantly. Her perseverance paid off when she bagged two bronze medals at the World Para Athletics Championship in 2024, paving the way for her success at the Paris Paralympics.

Preeti received support through key government interventions, including financial assistance for training and competitions, an Out of Pocket Allowance (OPA) under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), and training facilities under Khelo India.