3) Amit Kumar Saroha
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‘If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.’ This phrase has been proved right by Amit Saroha, who became the first quadriplegic to represent India at a Paralympic Games (London 2012). He is also one of the most decorated para-athletes of India and has won medals in many international competitions including Asian Para Games.
He suffered a tragic car accident when he was 22, causing him to become a quadriplegic. Despite his injury, he has always entertained and motivated us with his strength and competitive spirit.
“After being bound to a wheelchair, everyone around me thought I would be bedridden and dependent on others for the rest of my life. My father and husband have both served in the army and I derived my strength in wanting to prove that I could achieve a lot more despite being on a wheelchair.”
Before his injury, Amit was a national level hockey player. However, his tryst with fame as a sportsperson happened after his injury when he met Jonathan Sigworth, an American wheelchair rugby player, on a tour of India to promote para sports. Since then he has been motivating other athletes like him. He has mentored and supported other Paralympians like Rampal Chahar, Rinku Hooda and Dharambir Nain.
“I am the oldest athlete from India at this Paralympics. To put this in perspective, the youngest athlete from India is more than 25 years my junior in age. But despite being the seniormost athlete, they do not treat me any differently, and I am made to feel like any other fellow athlete, which I very much appreciate. It is an important lesson for others – to treat everyone equally always despite their age or physical limitations.”
Amit won a silver medal in his first Asian Para Games which took place in Guangzhou in the year 2010. Two years later he qualified for the London 2012 Paralympic Games after he won a record-breaking gold medal in the Kuala Lumpur qualifiers.
Amit won gold medal in the club throw and silver medal discuss throw at the Asian Para Games in Incheon in 2014. He was also the silver medallist of the 2015 World Championships in Doha. He was conferred the Arjuna Award in the year 2013.
“Sport has given me a platform to set an example for society and make the most of what I have. I am truly grateful for all the opportunities that I have had through sport. I wish to bring India to the top of the medal tally. I believe Army men and Sportsmen are blessed with the opportunity to fight for their country on an international level for almost half of their lives and I want to give my best in it.”
Amit is also a promoter of the Paralympic movement in the country. He is a motivational speaker for the youth and has spoken across prestigious institutes like IIT Guwahati and BITS, Pillani. His training is supported by the Government through the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and he is also funded by the GoSports Foundation. He has pledged to give his best at the Rio Paralympic Games.
“I always try to be positive and work hard, instead of thinking about how hard the challenge is/will be. The challenge and motivation, both, since then have been to try and change people’s perception towards me and I hope my first appearance at the Paralympic Games will go a long way towards doing that.”
Amit’s message for our readers, “Work hard, think positive and set your goals right.”
