Punjab labourer’s son wins gold in junior world para meet
CHANDIGARH: Aamit Kumar clinched gold medal in 200m sprint at the junior world paraathletics championship held at Nottwil, Switzerland, on Thursday.
The 18-year-old, who is a labourer’s son from Mandi Gobindgarh in Punjab, clocked 23.23 seconds to top the podium in a collective category of T-42 to T-47 --- disability in one hand.
“I owe this medal to my father who works as a labourer in a godown. His hard work alone sustains us, the family of five,” an elated Aamit told HT.
Aamit was three when he fell from the roof of his house and got multiple fractures in his right arm.
Since proper medical facility was inaccessible, he suffered permanent disability in his arm.
Later, athletics coach Dalbir Singh introduced him to the world of sports.
“Initially I used to compete in general category since I had no idea about para-sports. I won medals at school level (in Punjab) and also got a chance to compete in the school nationals and rural nationals.
In 2015, Dalbir sir came to know about the separate competitions for disabled athletes and since then I have competed in two para-nationals and won medals in senior category,” says Aamit.
SILVER FOR JAYANTI
Orissa’s Jayanti Behara, whose father is a landless farmer and works on others’ fields, clinched silver medal in 200m race in a collective category of T-42 to T-47.
Jayanti competed in the senior world championship last month, finishing sixth. As a oneyear-old, Jayanti suffered burns when her hand got engulfed in fire while her mother was cooking.
“I am thankful to my father, who, despite meagre means, supported my career and encouraged me,” said a jubilantBehara.