Indomitable Spirit: The Power of Perseverance | Amit Saroha | TEDxShivajiCollege

25 Jun 2024 (3 months ago)

Amit Saroha's Journey to the Paralympics

Amit Saroha, a para-athlete from India, met with a road accident at the age of 22, resulting in a spinal cord injury that left him bedridden.
Despite the severity of his injury, he remained determined to overcome his condition and find a way to move forward with his life.
He managed to complete a rehabilitation program in just six months and was introduced to wheelchair rugby by an American boy in the hospital.
Saroha became the first quadriplegic to take up the sport in India and eventually shifted his focus to individual sports due to the lack of proper training facilities.
After consulting with experts, he determined that his disability category would be 52 or TH and learned about the upcoming Commonwealth Games and the inclusion of a short put event in his category.
Despite the challenges posed by his disability, he began training for the short put event and aimed to represent his country at the Commonwealth Games or international level.
He faced numerous challenges as a disabled athlete, including the lack of support from coaches and difficulties in participating in sports due to his disability.
He persisted and eventually fought for his selection in the Commonwealth Games, successfully advocating for his right to participate in sports despite his disability.

Saroha won a gold medal in his first event at the National Championship and was selected for the Commonwealth Games but missed out on a medal due to his disability.
He won a silver medal at the Asian Para Games in China, which was his first medal for his country and also an Asian record.
He missed out on a medal at the 2012 Paralympic Games but received the prestigious Arjuna Award from the Indian government in 2013.
At the 2014 Asian Para Games, he showcased his best performance, winning a gold and a silver medal while breaking two Asian records.
He won a silver medal at the 2015 World Championships in Doha, securing a quota for the Olympics.
He broke the world record at the 2016 Paralympic trials and qualified for the Paralympic Games but ended up winning the bronze medal due to unexpected circumstances.
He won a silver medal at the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships and set a new Asian record.
He won the gold medal at the 2018 Asian Para Games and the 2019 Para Asian Games.
He was preparing for the 2020 Paralympic Games but faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite facing numerous challenges, including a severe spinal cord injury, lack of support, and training difficulties, Amit Saroha persevered and achieved remarkable success as a para-athlete.
He represented India at major international competitions, winning medals at the Asian Para Games, World Championships, and Paralympic Games.
His determination, hard work, and unwavering spirit allowed him to overcome obstacles and become a world-class athlete.