Indian athlete Yogesh Kathuniya once again proved his mettle on the world stage, claiming a silver medal in the Men’s Discus Throw F56 at the Paris Paralympics. With a season-best throw of 42.22m, he secured his second consecutive silver medal in the event, following his impressive performance at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics.
The competition saw a thrilling finish, with Brazil’s Claudiney Batista setting a new Paralympic record of 46.86m to claim gold. Greece’s Konstantinos Tzounis took home the bronze medal with a best throw of 41.32m. It’s noteworthy that the podium at the Paris Paralympics mirrored the outcome of the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics, with Kathuniya and Batista securing the top two positions once again.
Kathuniya’s journey to becoming a Paralympic medalist is a tale of resilience and triumph over adversity. At the age of nine, he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), an autoimmune condition that affects the body’s nerves, leaving him wheelchair-bound for two years. The thought of walking, let alone participating in sports, seemed impossible.
However, his unwavering spirit and the unwavering support of his family, particularly his mother Meena Devi, who dedicated herself to his recovery by learning physiotherapy, helped him overcome this challenge. After three years of relentless effort, Yogesh was back on his feet. His journey to para-sports began in 2016, when he was introduced to the world of competitive sports at the age of 19, thanks to Sachin Yadav, the General Secretary of the student union at Kirori Mal College.
Two years later, in 2018, Yogesh made his mark on the international stage by achieving a massive 45.18m throw in the F36 category at the European Championships in Berlin. His performance continued to improve, and in 2022, he set new personal bests in the F56 category at the Indian Open National Para Athletic Championship, culminating in a remarkable 48.34m throw on home soil.
Yogesh Kathuniya’s silver medal at the Paris Paralympics is a testament to his unwavering spirit, determination, and the unwavering support of his family. His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes across the globe, reminding us that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, with hard work and dedication, dreams can be realized.
