Preethi Pal Makes History at Paris 2024 Paralympics with Second Medal
In a historic achievement, Preethi Pal has become the first Indian woman to secure two medals at the Paralympic Games in track and field events, clinching a bronze in the women’s 200 T35 class during the Paris 2024 Paralympics held on Sunday.
Preethi Pal delivered an impressive performance, recording a personal best time of 30.01 seconds to finish third in the finals. The 23-year-old athlete previously earned a bronze medal in the women’s 100m T35 class on Friday, marking India’s first-ever Paralympic medal in a track event.
Xia Zhou and Guo Qianqian of the People’s Republic of China triumphed in the 200m race, taking home the gold and silver medals respectively. Zhou completed the race in a commendable 28.15 seconds, while Qianqian achieved a personal best of 29.09 seconds. It is noteworthy that both athletes also outperformed Preethi Pal in the previous 100m sprint event.
The T35 classification is designated for athletes with coordination impairments, including conditions such as hypertonia, ataxia, and athetosis. Preethi Pal qualified for her first Paralympic Games by securing a bronze medal in the women’s 200m T35 event at the recent World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan, earlier this year.
Following her disappointment at the Asian Para Games in China last year, Preethi relocated her training base to New Delhi. This strategic decision proved fruitful as she now proudly holds two prestigious Paralympic medals. “This achievement is a testament to five years of relentless hard work, despite facing doubts and assertions that my victories were mere strokes of luck,” remarked Preethi Pal after her second medal win. She emphasized the significance of her hard work, attributing her success to her coach, Gaje-bhaiya, stating, “I recall a time during training when I was so fatigued that I vomited due to the intense regimen we followed.”
Preethi Pal’s bronze medal represents India’s sixth medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. In addition to her achievements, the Indian contingent has also garnered four medals in para shooting, with Avani Lekhara and Mona Agarwal capturing gold and bronze respectively in the 10m air rifle shooting, standing in SH1 class. Furthermore, Manish Narwal and Rubina Francis contributed to India’s medal tally by claiming silver and bronze in the men’s and women’s 10m air pistol events, respectively.
Preethi Pal’s remarkable accomplishments not only highlight her prowess as an athlete but also inspire many within and beyond the Paralympic community, reiterating the value of resilience and dedication in overcoming challenges.
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