Disability to superability: How the world's best differently-abled athletes prepped for the 2020 Paralympics
The 16th Summer Paralympic Games began on August 24 in Tokyo, and is a testament to the grit of differently-abled athletes across the globe
By: Mexy Xavier
Suyash Narayan Jadhav, 27
swimming
Training location: Balewadi stadium, Pune
Hails from: Solapur, Maharashtra
Challenges that he overcame
“I was 11 when I lost my hands till my elbows because of an electrical accident. One of my first challenges was when I went to study at Fergusson College, Pune, where I had to do all things myself—eating food, washing clothes, keeping the room neat and clean. To train oneself beyond limits, whether an athlete is para or not, is extremely challenging. It’s only when you work hard and cross your limits, even when you are tired, can you win at competitions.”
swimming
Training location: Balewadi stadium, Pune
Hails from: Solapur, Maharashtra
Challenges that he overcame
“I was 11 when I lost my hands till my elbows because of an electrical accident. One of my first challenges was when I went to study at Fergusson College, Pune, where I had to do all things myself—eating food, washing clothes, keeping the room neat and clean. To train oneself beyond limits, whether an athlete is para or not, is extremely challenging. It’s only when you work hard and cross your limits, even when you are tired, can you win at competitions.”
