EXCLUSIVE | 'It's a message for those who used to taunt me': Preethi Pal slams her family's critics after scripting history in Paralympics 2024

India's Preethi Pal created history by becoming the first woman track and field athlete to win two medals at the Paralympics for the nation. Preethi who hails from Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar bagged a bronze in the 200m T35 category with a personal best time of 30.01 seconds. She also won a bronze in the 100m T35 category.
 

After winning two medals Preethi said that this is a message for all those who used to taunt her for her ‘disability’. Preethi also said that she has proved that she can run and win a medal for the nation. Preethi's father is a farmer and she said that their family have gone through a lot of struggle but they never said no to sports. 
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"It is a message for those who used to taunt me and my family that I couldn’t walk or run and how I would get married because of my disability now I have proved that I can run and win a medal for the Nation

My father is a dairy farmer have gone through a lot of struggle but never said no to sports" said Preethi. 

Preethi also revealed that she used to watch the videos of para-athletes and she never thought about competing in Paralympics. Her dream was to win a medal in Asian Para Games. 

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Started games watching videos of para-athletes who trained hard to reach this level. When I started I never thought about the Paralympics I used my dream medal of the Asian Para Games but now have created history" said Preethi exclusively on Sports Tak. 
 

She faced significant physical challenges when she was born as her lower body was plastered for six days after birth. Weak legs and an irregular leg posture made her prone to various diseases. T35 classification is meant for athletes who have coordination impairments such as hypertonia, ataxia and athetosis. India have clinched seven medals in the ongoing event so far with (1 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze).

 

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