Jaideep Kumar will compete in the men’s 65kg category while Sakina Khatoon will compete in the women’s 50kg category. The two powerlifters will clash for a medal in their respective categories on August 27.
#TeamIndia @Powerlifting Squad #JaideepDeswal & #SakinaKhatoon with their coaches leave for #Tokyo2020 @Paralympics… https://t.co/K2ExQe8Ww3
— Paralympic India #Cheer4India #Praise4Para (@ParalympicIndia) 1629460375000
Hoping for a medal, Jaideep said in a release: “We have worked hard for this day. If all goes well, we can create history and bring home the medal.”
Sakina Khatoon was one of the ten athletes who interacted with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 17. PM Modi hailed her as a winner as she fought not only with her disability but also extreme poverty.
JP Singh, who is keeping a close eye on his performance, is more realistic about the prospects. He added: “We’re going there with no pressure. If we do our best and we have a little bit of luck that day, our powerlifters will be able to create history.”
Chef de Mission Gursharan Singh said: “Our powerlifters have worked hard even during the pandemic and their morale is high. Their training has given us the confidence that they are second to none.”
The team was given a warm farewell by the officials of sports ministry And this Sports Authority of India. Powerlifting and badminton are two such sports that are making their debut in these Paralympic Games.
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