Nagoya, October 21, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian para-athlete Preethi Pal clinched the silver medal in the women’s 100m T35 event at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya on Wednesday, securing her second medal at the ongoing continental competition.
Preethi clocked 29.53 seconds to finish with silver, adding to the silver medal she won in the women’s 200m T35 event on Tuesday.
A decorated Indian para-athlete, Preethi has won two bronze medals at the Paralympic Games. Her achievements also include one silver and three bronze medals at the World Para Athletics Championships, four gold medals at Indian Open tournaments and a gold at the New Delhi Grand Prix.
Born into a farming family in rural Uttar Pradesh, Preethi faced significant physical challenges from birth. Her lower body had to be plastered for six days after she was born, while weak legs and an irregular leg posture left her vulnerable to various health conditions.
She underwent several traditional treatments to strengthen her legs and began wearing callipers at the age of five, continuing to use them for eight years. Despite the challenges and doubts surrounding her survival, she overcame life-threatening conditions and demonstrated remarkable resilience.
Preethi developed an interest in para-sports at the age of 17 after watching clips of the Paralympic Games on social media. Her journey took a significant turn a few years after she began practising athletics, when she met her mentor, Paralympian Fathima Khatoon.
Encouraged by Khatoon, Preethi competed in district, state and national-level events before making her international debut at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou.
She won her first international medals at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships, claiming bronze in both the 100m and 200m events.
Preethi further cemented her place in Indian sporting history at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, winning bronze in the women’s 100m and 200m T35 events. Her two-medal haul made her the first Indian woman athlete to win two medals in track and field at the Paralympics or Olympics.
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