Tuesday, 17 September 2024
Tuesday, 17 September 2024
At the Stade de France in Paris Paralympics, among others, India's Deepthi Jeevanji was to compete against Breanna Clark, whose world record she had already smashed at the 2024 World Paralympics Championships in May to win a gold. Certainly, expectations were high as the race in the women's 400m T20 category began.
Although a comparatively taller athlete, Clark of the USA, who had taken the lead, started slowing down forty seconds into the race. Here, while determined Yuliia Shuliar looked unstoppable as she overtook Clark, hearts pumped with hope the second the 20-year-old Deepthi Jeevanji left her American rival behind too to chase the Ukrainian speeding ahead.
But just when the silver medal is at a stone's throw from Deepthi, Turkey's Aysel Önder outstrips the Indian, who fights with the remaining strength to clinch the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. This is the journey of Deepthi Jeevanji whose flying start took years to spread wings.
Humble beginning
Jeevanji was born in Kalleda village, Warangal district, Telangana on September 27, 2003. Although her parents owned a half-acre of land, they laboured at others' farms as wage workers.
Role of N. Ramesh
The physical education teacher at her school first recognised Jeevanji's talent when she studied in the ninth standard. Later, N. Ramesh, who coached India's fastest woman Dutee Chand, met Jeevanji at a state-level athletics meet in 2019.
Pullela Gopichand’s support
Under Ramesh's guidance, Deepthi won a bronze medal at the Asian Youth Championships in Hong Kong and two gold medals [100m and 200m] at the 2020 Khelo India Youth Games.
As a result, Deepthi won over former badminton player Pullela Gopichand's endorsement. Upon Gopichand's suggestion, Deepthi got herself tested at the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disability in Hyderabad. Certified under the intellectually impaired category, Jeevanji became a para-athlete.
Gold at the 2024 World Paralympics Championships
At the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games, Jeevanji represented India and won a gold to set a new Asian Para record. After two gold medals at the All-India Inter-University Championships in Bhubaneshwar where she represented SRM University, Jeevanji won gold at the 2024 World Paralympics Championships in Kobe, Japan.
With a second place in the 100m (Category F) at the Indian U20 Federation Cup, Jeevanji qualified for the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
CM A. Revanth Reddy's promise
Following her success in Paris, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy publicly announced a cash award of Rs one crore, 500 sq yards of land at Warangal, and a suitable post in Group-II Services for Deepthi Jeevanji.
Minister of Youth and Sports congratulates Jeevanji
After the para-athletes returned to India with the best-ever medal haul at the Paralympics, the minister of youth and sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya met them and their coaches in person.
Mandaviya said that Jeevanji's determination and resilience were an inspiration to the entire nation. "Congratulations once again, Deepthi, on this remarkable achievement! We're all proud of you," he said.
This was Deepthi Jeevanji's first Paralympics, and she returned with a bronze. Undoubtedly, this success is symptomatic of an even brighter future Deepthi will surely attain.
