Yogesh Kathuniya, the Indian discus thrower, added another silver medal to his collection at the Paris Paralympics. While this is a remarkable achievement for most athletes, Kathuniya couldn’t hide his disappointment. He expressed a strong desire to upgrade his medal color in upcoming events, feeling stuck in a cycle of second-place finishes.
Kathuniya’s silver in Paris marks his fifth consecutive second-place finish in major events since the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021. He has consistently fallen short of gold, claiming silver at the 2023 and 2024 World Championships and the Asian Para Games. “The event was okay, I got a silver. I will work harder to change the color of the medal,” Kathuniya said after his performance. “For some time, I’m winning silver only be it Tokyo (Paralympics) or today, World Championships or Asian Games..everywhere I’m winning silver. Gaadi atak gayi hai (I’m stuck on silver). I think I need to work harder. Now I want gold.”
Despite the silver, Kathuniya’s journey is inspirational. He battled Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare autoimmune condition that left him wheelchair-bound. His mother’s dedication to physiotherapy helped him regain his strength and return to walking. This resilience and determination have fueled his athletic career.
In Paris, Kathuniya achieved a season-best throw of 42.22m, but it fell short of his personal best of 48m and his performance at the Tokyo Paralympics, where he achieved a throw of 44.38m. “Today was not my day, my performance is consistent but today I don’t feel that happy. My family will be happy, they must be celebrating. “My coach has helped me a lot. I did very well in training but unfortunately I wasn’t able to replicate it today,” he said.
Kathuniya’s journey is a testament to his determination and the power of perseverance. His quest for gold continues, and he is determined to break free from the cycle of silver finishes. With his unwavering spirit and dedication to training, Kathuniya’s future holds the promise of achieving the ultimate athletic glory.
