Paralympics: First Indian Women to win Silver
Deepa Malik became first Indian woman in Paralympics to grab a silver medal at 2016 Rio Games.
She gave the best throw of 4.61m in the Women’s shot put-F53 final event.
Her competitors Bahrain’s Fatema Needham won the Gold with the best throw of 4.76m and Dimitra from Greece won bronze with the best throw of 4.28m.
Deepa Malik said after winning the silver, “It feels incredible to fulfill a lifelong ambition. My preparations were really good and I improved tremendously this year. I gave my personal best at the trials in July and furthered that here now in Rio. It is an extremely satisfying feeling and a big thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years”.
“This is our third medal now in Rio and I sincerely hope people back home wake up and acknowledge the potential of Para sports in India,” she added.
Malik is a recipient of the Arjuna Award in 2012, are a paraplegic, paralyzed from the waist down and mother of two and wife of an Army officer.
A spinal tumor left Deepa paralyzed waist-below in 1999. A spinal tumor had to be operated and 31 surgeries were conducted on Deepa which was healed after 183 stitches between her waist and legs.
Apart from shot put, she has also participated in the javelin throw, swimming and has been a motivational speaker.
Her name has been registered in Limca Book of Records Twice, once for crossing a 1km stretch of Yamuna river against the current, and then for covering 58km by riding a special bike.
She holds the Asian record in the javelin throw and also has World Championships silver medals in shot put and discus in 2011.
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