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Double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker has attributed her resilience and patience to the challenges she faced early in her career. Bhaker, 22, made history at the Paris Games by becoming the first Indian since Independence to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics.Despite her success, Bhaker remains unfazed by criticism, choosing to focus solely on her career. After taking a break from shooting post-Olympics, she is now pursuing a Master's degree in Public Administration from Panjab University, Chandigarh."I'm grateful for the setbacks I've faced," Bhaker said. "They've taught me patience and resilience. I don't let social media chatter bother me. My focus is on my sport."Bhaker expressed gratitude for the support she has received throughout her journey, particularly from those who have helped her stay mentally and physically prepared. She also acknowledged the importance of setting realistic goals and taking breaks to reset."This break is a pause, not a complete stop," she explained. "I'm still preparing for future competitions. I'm in constant touch with my coach, Jaspal Rana, and we're planning strategies for the future."Bhaker emphasized that she has maintained her fitness during her break. "I've been monitoring my fitness regularly," she said. "I'm grateful to DAV United Foundation for their support and recognition."Bhaker's journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes, demonstrating the importance of perseverance, resilience, and a unwavering focus on one's goals.

Harmilan Bains, a renowned Indian middle-distance runner, has faced adversity with resilience and determination. After an undefeated 2021 season, she underwent knee surgery that sidelined her for 10 months. Upon her return, she triumphed with silver medals in the 800m and 1500m at the 2022 Asian Games.Despite her past success, Bains experienced a setback when she failed to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. This led to a period of depression and suicidal thoughts. However, she drew strength from her situation and shared an inspiring message for young athletes."Enjoy your sport, don't be stressed," Bains advised. "I was under stress after missing my Olympics. I was almost in depression. Thoughts were coming in my mind, like suicide and just quitting everything, run away from my city."Bains emphasized the importance of parental support and encouraged youngsters to pursue their passions without excessive pressure. "My message to the parents is to let your child do whatever they want to and to the youngsters it is never too late to change your sport, your profession just enjoy whatever it is you're doing," she said.As a guest of honor at the 63rd Subroto Cup Junior Boys tournament, Bains praised the event for its contribution to grassroots football development. "I would like to thank the Air Force for bringing me out here as I am enjoying a lot and it's a really good opportunity for the athletes to perform at such a platform at such a young age," she added.Manipur's T.G English School emerged victorious in the tournament, defeating Meghalaya's Myngken Christian Higher Secondary School in a sudden death tie-breaker.Bains also celebrated the remarkable performance of the Indian contingent at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. India surpassed its previous record of 19 medals at the Tokyo Paralympics, winning 29 medals and finishing 18th in the medal tally. "I am so happy for the para-athletes and it was the first time India ranked so high in the medal tally," Bains concluded.

Deepthi Jeevanji, a para-athlete from India, has triumphed over adversity to clinch the bronze medal in the women's 400m T20 category at the Paris Paralympics 2024. Despite falling short of her personal best, Deepthi's remarkable performance earned her a place on the podium behind Ukraine's Yuliia Shuliar and Turkey's Aysel Onder, the world record holder.Deepthi's journey to the Paralympics has been marked by resilience and determination. Born with intellectual disability, she faced relentless mockery and discrimination from her neighbors, who labeled her a "monkey" and urged her parents to abandon her. Undeterred, Deepthi's parents stood by her, providing unwavering support that fueled her passion for sports."I was born during an eclipse, so our neighbors kept speaking against me. They called me monkey and advised my parents to abandon me or leave me at an orphanage. But I ignored all the negativity and focused on my sport," Deepthi told India Today.Financial challenges also plagued Deepthi's family. Her parents were forced to sell their land to make ends meet. However, after winning an Asian Games medal, Deepthi used her earnings to buy back the land for her family.Deepthi's mother, Jeevanji Dhanalaxmi, recalled the taunts her daughter endured growing up. "Every villager who saw her and some of our relatives would call Deepthi pichi (mental) and kothi (monkey) and tell us to send her to an orphanage," she told The Indian Express.Despite the hardships, Deepthi remained focused on her athletic pursuits. She found solace in sweet rice and chicken, which her mother would prepare to comfort her after facing ridicule.Deepthi's bronze medal at the Paralympics is a testament to her indomitable spirit and the power of perseverance. It is a victory not only for her but also for all those who have faced adversity and triumphed over it.

Simran Sharma, India's reigning world champion in the women's 200m T12 race, has effortlessly secured her place in the final at the Paralympic Games in Paris. On Friday, she clocked an impressive time of 25.03 seconds, showcasing her exceptional speed and determination.Simran's journey to the final began with a dominant performance in her heat, where she emerged victorious with a time of 25.41 seconds. This remarkable achievement propelled her into the semifinals, where she faced off against Germany's Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt, who had narrowly defeated her in the 100m final the previous night.Undeterred by her previous encounter with Mueller-Rottgardt, Simran displayed unwavering focus and determination. She surged ahead from the starting line, maintaining a steady pace throughout the race. Her unwavering spirit and relentless drive carried her across the finish line in a time that secured her a spot in the final.Simran's triumph is a testament to her unwavering resilience and the challenges she has overcome throughout her life. Born prematurely with visual impairment, she faced numerous obstacles, including her father's chronic illness and eventual passing. These difficult experiences instilled in her an indomitable fighting spirit and a deep desire to triumph over adversity.The T12 classification in the Paralympics is reserved for athletes with visual impairments. Simran's journey began prematurely, spending the first 10 weeks of her life in an incubator, where her visual impairment was discovered. Despite the challenges she faced, Simran's determination remained unwavering.Her breakthrough moment came at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championship, where she competed despite the fear of losing her father. Although she suffered the loss of her father shortly after returning from the event, she channeled her grief into motivation, determined to honor his memory through her achievements.Simran's story is an inspiration to all who face adversity. Her unwavering spirit, resilience, and determination serve as a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and a belief in oneself. As she prepares for the final, Simran carries the hopes and dreams of her nation, ready to showcase her exceptional talent and inspire countless others.

Indian para-athlete Ajeet Singh Yadav has etched his name in history by securing a silver medal in the javelin throw F46 final at the Paris Paralympics 2024. His remarkable achievement is a testament to his unwavering determination and resilience in the face of adversity.Yadav's journey to the podium has been marked by both triumph and tragedy. In 2017, a life-altering accident left him with a severe injury to his left arm. However, instead of succumbing to despair, Yadav found solace in javelin throw. With unwavering focus and dedication, he transformed his misfortune into a source of inspiration.Four years after the accident, Yadav made his Paralympic debut in Tokyo, finishing eighth. Undeterred, he continued to train relentlessly, overcoming an elbow injury to claim the Para World title in Paris and a bronze medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games.In 2024, Yadav's hard work culminated in a bronze medal at the world championships. His momentum carried him to the Paris Paralympics, where he delivered a stunning performance to secure a silver medal. His fifth-round throw of 65.62m surpassed that of his compatriot and world record holder Sundar Singh Gurjar.Yadav's triumph is not only a personal victory but also a symbol of hope and inspiration for countless others who have faced challenges in their lives. His story serves as a reminder that with determination and perseverance, anything is possible.

Pooja Jatyan, India's World Para Championship silver medalist, has advanced to the quarterfinals of the recurve women's open archery competition at the Paris Paralympics. The 27-year-old defeated Yagmur Sengul of Turkey in straight sets on Tuesday.Jatyan, who received a bye into the pre-quarters after finishing in the top nine in the ranking round, won 6-0. She will face Tokyo Paralympics bronze medalist Wu Chunyan of China in the quarterfinals later in the day. Chunyan, the second seed, defeated Oyun-Erdene Buyanjargal of Mongolia in her pre-quarterfinal match.Jatyan dominated the first set, hitting three 9s in a row. She continued her strong performance in the second set, scoring 26 points to her opponent's 22. Sengul put up some resistance in the third set, hitting two 9s and an 8, but Jatyan remained calm and edged out the Turkish archer by one point to seal the win.Jatyan's journey to the Paralympics has been marked by resilience and determination. In 1997, when she was just two months old, a high fever and a wrong injection due to medical negligence resulted in polio in her left leg. Despite this setback, Jatyan embraced archery in her childhood and has gone on to achieve great success.In 2023, Jatyan won a silver medal in the Women's Team event at the Asian Para Championship. She continued her success in 2024, securing a silver medal at the 8th Fazza Para Archery World Ranking Tournament and claiming gold medals in both the Women's Team and Mixed Team events at the Para Archery European Cup 2nd Leg.In the recurve open category, archers shoot from a standing position at a distance of 70m at a 122cm target made up of 10 concentric circles scoring from 10 points down to 1 point from the center outwards.

Jonnie Peacock's journey to Paralympic stardom is a testament to resilience and the unwavering support of his mother, Linda. Diagnosed with meningitis at age five, Peacock faced the possibility of losing his life. However, thanks to the quick thinking of his mother and the skill of surgeon Per Hall, he survived, albeit with the amputation of his lower right leg.Initially, Peacock struggled to accept his new reality, blaming his mother for his amputation. But with time, their bond grew stronger, and Linda became an integral part of his recovery and athletic pursuits. She ferried him to countless events and training sessions, instilling in him the resilience that would fuel his Paralympic success.Peacock's Paralympic debut in London 2012 was a triumph, as he claimed the 100m title at just 19 years old. He repeated the feat in Rio four years later, but a bronze medal in Tokyo 2021 left him hungry for more.Now, at 31, Peacock is determined to reclaim his 100m crown in Paris. He believes his experience and the pressure of competing in a packed stadium will give him an edge over his rivals.Peacock's success extends beyond the track. He is a role model for countless young people, promoting the Tackle Meningitis campaign and raising awareness about the devastating effects of the disease. He credits his mother for his positive outlook and the unwavering support that has shaped his life.

Avani Lekhara's journey to becoming a Paralympic shooting champion is a testament to her resilience and determination. After a car accident left her paralyzed at the age of 11, Avani found solace in shooting, a sport that gave her a sense of purpose and accomplishment.With the support of her parents, Avani began practicing shooting in 2015. Within six years, she had become a national champion and was representing India at the Tokyo Paralympics. In Tokyo, Avani made history by winning India's first medals in shooting at the Paralympics, a gold in the 10m air rifle and a bronze in the 50m rifle 3-positions.Avani's success has brought with it expectations, but she remains focused on her process and technique. She believes that by controlling the controllable and focusing on her training, she can achieve her goals.Avani's preparations for the Paris Paralympics have been aided by a quick recovery from gallbladder surgery. She is also benefiting from a healthy rivalry with upcoming shooter Mona Agarwal, who won gold at the World Cup in Delhi.Avani credits her personal coach, Chandra Shekhar, for her success. She says that he has been an integral part of her journey, helping her to focus on her basics and improve her technique.With her determination, resilience, and the support of her coach and family, Avani is poised to make history once again at the Paris Paralympics.

Aman Sehrawat's journey to Olympic glory is a testament to his resilience and unwavering determination. Hailing from humble beginnings, the 21-year-old wrestler overcame adversity to become India's youngest Olympic medalist.Growing up in a financially challenged household, Aman's parents passed away when he was young. His uncle took him and his sister under his care, but life remained difficult. Undeterred, Aman found solace in wrestling at the Chhatrasal Stadium.His rise to prominence was meteoric. Within two years, he became the country's first U23 world champion and secured an Olympic berth by defeating his idol, Ravi Dahiya. However, as the Paris Games approached, nerves crept in.On the day of his competition, Aman faced immense pressure. He knew the eyes of his nation were upon him. But he drew strength from his past struggles and focused on the task at hand.In his first bout, he comfortably defeated Vladimir Egorovy. However, his next opponent was the formidable Zelimkhan Abakarov, who had beaten him at the world championships. Determined to prove himself, Aman devised a strategy to keep the bout close.His plan worked. He upset Abakarov 12-0, setting up a semi-final clash with Japan's Rei Higuchi. Despite a strong start, Aman lost focus and was defeated.Undeterred, he shed 3.5kg overnight to make weight for the bronze medal bout. With a clear mind, he approached the match as just another competition. He dominated Puerto Rico's Darian Toi Cruz 13-5 to secure a podium finish.Upon his return to India, Aman was greeted as a hero. His village, academy, and fans celebrated his achievement. He realized the true magnitude of his accomplishment and the joy it brought to his community.Aman's success is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, dreams can be realized through hard work and perseverance. His journey inspires countless young athletes to strive for greatness and to never give up on their aspirations.