Dr. Deepa Malik & the Story of the Paralympics
The champion you just met — and the movement she belongs to
The voice you've been reading belongs to a real, living legend — and the Games she competes in have their own remarkable origin story.
The Games began in 1948 as a small sports competition for injured war veterans — and grew into a global movement.
India's growing Paralympic story
Dr. Malik is one of a rising tide of Indian para-champions. Names worth knowing: Murlikant Petkar (India's first Paralympic gold, swimming, 1972), Devendra Jhajharia (multiple javelin golds), Avani Lekhara (shooting gold, Tokyo 2020), Sumit Antil (javelin world-record holder), and Sheetal Devi (the armless para-archer from this chapter's opening). India's Paralympic medal tally has climbed sharply in recent Games. Each athlete carries the same message Dr. Malik gave you: ability beyond disability — and each makes the path wider for the next.
Q1.What historic 'first' did Dr. Deepa Malik achieve?
The voice you've been reading belongs to a real, living legend — and the Games she competes in have their own remarkable origin story.
The Games began in 1948 as a small sports competition for injured war veterans — and grew into a global movement.
India's growing Paralympic story
Dr. Malik is one of a rising tide of Indian para-champions. Names worth knowing: Murlikant Petkar (India's first Paralympic gold, swimming, 1972), Devendra Jhajharia (multiple javelin golds), Avani Lekhara (shooting gold, Tokyo 2020), Sumit Antil (javelin world-record holder), and Sheetal Devi (the armless para-archer from this chapter's opening). India's Paralympic medal tally has climbed sharply in recent Games. Each athlete carries the same message Dr. Malik gave you: ability beyond disability — and each makes the path wider for the next.
Q1.What historic 'first' did Dr. Deepa Malik achieve?