Paralympics: Yogesh Kathunia repeats Tokyo success, wins silver in Paris
India’s Yogesh Kathunia won silver in the men’s discus throw F56 event on Monday, September 2 to make it a double medalist at the Paralympics. Yogesh, who also won silver in Tokyo, repeated his success with a season-best throw of 42.22m at the Stade de France in his allotted 6 attempts, Yogesh throwing his best on the first attempt.
The Indian para-athlete, who has won multiple medals in his career, was targeting a gold medal. But that day, Brazil’s Claudini Bautista won the gold medal by setting a Paralympic record with a throw of 46.86m. Yogesh started well with his season-best throw, but in his remaining 5 attempts, was unable to better his effort.
It was India’s 8th medal at the Paris Paralympics – their fourth in para-athletics. Earlier, on Sunday, September 1, India won a bronze and a silver medal in athletics. Nishad Kumar won silver in high jump and Preeti Pal bagged her second athletics medal with bronze in 200m on Sunday.
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Who is Yogesh Kathunia?
Yogesh Kathunia, born on March 3, 1997, in Bahadurgarh, India, is an inspirational Indian Paralympic athlete who overcame incredible challenges to master the discus throw. Her journey is a testament to the strength of determination, resilience and unwavering support of her family.
At the age of nine, Yogesh was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that confined him to a wheelchair for two years. The condition, which attacks the body’s nerves, seemed to have robbed him of his childhood and ability to walk. However, his mother, Meena Devi, refused to let her son go. He learned physiotherapy to help Yogesh regain his strength and through his tireless efforts he was able to walk again within three years.
Yogesh was introduced to para sports in 2016 when he was studying at Kirori Mal College in Delhi. Student union general secretary Sachin Yadav inspired him to take up sports by showing him videos of para-athletes. This revelation sparks a passion in Yogesh and he soon discovers his love for discus throwing. He began competing in para athletics events and his natural talent quickly emerged.
In 2018, Yogesh set a world record in the F36 category by throwing the discus 45.18 meters at the World Para Athletics European Championships in Berlin. This achievement marked the beginning of his remarkable career in para athletics. He won a silver medal in the men’s discus throw F56 event at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo, an achievement that earned him the Arjuna Award in 2021.
Yogesh’s journey has not been without its challenges. He has constantly struggled with the effects of his neurological disorder, which causes muscle wasting and fatigue. To combat this, he had to adapt his diet and workout routine, including eggs and meat to meet his protein requirements. In addition, she has faced other health problems, including chickenpox and cervical radiculopathy, which she has had to undergo rehabilitation and psychiatric conditions to overcome.
Despite these hurdles, Yogesh is driven by the ambition to break the 50-metre barrier in the discus throw. His unwavering dedication to his sport is evident in his daily routine, which includes two-hour training sessions in the morning and evening. Her faith and the support of her family, especially her mother, have been instrumental in keeping her motivated and focused on her goals.
Yogesh’s influence extends beyond his own achievements. He opened his own academy, Yogesh Throwing Academy, where he supports and trains other para-athletes, giving them the opportunity to develop their skills without financial burden. This initiative is a testament to his commitment to giving back to the community and encouraging the growth of Para Sports in India.
