Preethi Pal made history by clinching a bronze medal in the women’s 200m T35 at the ongoing 2024 Paralympic Games. She became the first Indian woman athlete to win two medals in track and field at either the Paralympics or the Olympics.
Preethi clocked a personal best of 30.01 seconds to secure third place, finishing behind China’s Xia Zhou and Guo Qianqian, who claimed gold and silver with times of 28.15 seconds and 29.09 seconds, respectively.
Just two days earlier, Preethi also won bronze in the women’s 100m T35 event. She completed the race in 14.21 seconds, setting another personal best. Similar to the 200m T35 event, Zhou Xia took gold with a time of 13.58 seconds, and Guo Qianqian earned silver at 13.74 seconds.
Born into a farmer’s family in rural Uttar Pradesh, Preethi faced significant physical challenges from birth. Her lower body had to be plastered for six days, and weak legs coupled with an irregular posture made her prone to various diseases.
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Preethi underwent several traditional treatments to strengthen her legs and started wearing calipers at age five, which she continued using for eight years. Despite doubts about her survival, she fought through life-threatening conditions, demonstrating remarkable strength and resilience.
Preethi’s interest in para-sports began at age 17 after watching Paralympic Games clips on social media. Her life took a positive turn when she met her mentor, Paralympian Fathima Khatoon, who encouraged her to compete in district, state, and national events.
To prepare for the Paris Paralympic Games, Preethi relocated to New Delhi to train under coach Gajender Singh at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. With his guidance, she refined her running techniques, leading to significant improvements in her performance.
Preethi’s journey to success began earlier this year when she won her first international medals at the World Para Athletics Championships, claiming bronze in both the 100m and 200m events.
