Preethi Pal scripted history at the Paris Paralympics by becoming the first Indian to bag a medal in track history.
Pal took India’s medal tally to three at the Paris Paralympics after she clinched a bronze medal in the Women’s 100m – T35. She clinched the third spot at the podium after clocking a timing of 14.21s while Xia Zhou of China claimed gold with 13.58s to defend her title from the Tokyo Paralympics while her counter-part Qianqian Gou clinched a silver with a timing of 13.74s.
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Preeti Pal wins third medal for India. 1st medal for India in Paralympics track history.
Preeti Pal creates new PB of 14.21 in 100m T35.#Paralympics2024 pic.twitter.com/ZhyaQh8UbM— Paralympics 2024 Updates (@Badminton7799) August 30, 2024
She was born into a family of farmers and was caught up in early challenges after her birth due to an irregular leg posture, making her legs weak with her lower body plastered which made her susceptible to various health issues. The track & field athlete started wearing calipers at the age of five, continuing for eight years.
Pal would eventually go on to find inspiration in Paralympics at the age of 17. Her first coach Fatima Khatoon, a former Paralympian herself, helped her take the first stride and groomed her to become a para-athlete after she faced initial financial constraints.
Earlier in the day, Avani Lakhera and Mona Agarwal, clinched the first-two medals for India at the Paris Para Games.
