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Preethi Pal celebrates after winning bronze medal. (Getty Images)
Preethi Pal won bronze medal in the women’s 100m T35 event which is India’s first medal from para-athletics in the Paris Paralympics 2024.
Preethi clinched the bronze medal in the women’s 100m T35 event at the ongoing Paris Paralympics 2024 on Friday. She was born in a farmer’s family and faced significant physical challenges. After birth, her lower body was plastered six days.
With weak legs and an irregular leg posture, making her prone to various diseases. She underwent various traditional treatments to strengthen her legs.
At the age of five, she started wearing calipers and wore them for eight years.
Despite many doubting her survival, Preethi proved to be a fighter, overcoming life-threatening conditions and emerged victorious, demonstrating with incredible strength and resilience.
At 17, Preethi’s perspective began to shift when she watched the Paralympic Games on social media. She was inspired and realized that she too could pursue her dreams. Determined to improve, she began practicing at the stadium, but financial constraints made it difficult for her to afford transportation.
Her life changed when she met Paralympic athlete Fatima Khatoon, who introduced her to para-athletics. With Fatima’s support, Preethi competed in the State Para Athletics Championships in 2018 and then competed in numerous national events. Her hard work paid off when she qualified for the Asian Para Games 2022, where she finished 4th in both the 100m and 200m sprints.
Although she didn’t win a medal at the Asian Para Games, Preethi remained motivated and aimed for the Paralympic Games. She moved to Delhi to train under Coach Gajender Singh. Together, they focused on refining her running techniques, leading to significant improvements in her performance.
Name: Preethi Pal (TOPS & KIA)
Date of Birth: 22nd September 2000
Home: Muzaffarnagar, U.P
Discipline: Para Athletics
Event: Women’s T35 100m & 200m
Training Base: SAI JLN Stadium, New Delhi
Disability Class : T35 (Coordination impairments (hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis)
Preethi’s dedication and hard work culminated in her selection for the World Para Athletics Championship, where she excelled, winning bronze medals in both the 100m and 200m events in 2024.
Major Achievements
- Paris Paralympics 2024 – Bronze Medal
- World Para Athletics Championship (2024) – 02 Bronze Medals
- Asian Para Games 2022 (2023) – 4th Position
- Indian Open Para Athletics International Championship (2024) – 02 Gold Medals
- National Para Athletics Championship (2024) – 2 Gold Medals
Key Government Intervention
- Financial Assistance for Training & Competition
- Out of Pocket Allowance under TOPS
- OPA under Khelo India along with Training facility
