Dilip Kumar

That's Mariyappan Thangavelu. Just few hours back he won India's 🇮🇳 first ever Gold Medal in High Jump at World Para Athletics. Media won't share stories of such incredible athletes. But should know more about him. At the age of 5, he met with an accident where a drunk bus driver ran over his right leg that permanently disabled his knee. His school physical education teacher encouraged him to try high jump and he excelled at it. Comes from a humble background, he was was raised by a single mother working as a daily wage labourer and vegetable seller to support the family. Despite this setback, he completed his schooling and earned a bachelor's degree in business administration. At the 2016 Rio Paralympics, he won the gold medal for India. In 2020 Tokyo Paralympics he could have won the gold again but the rains made the conditions difficand settled for a silver. He is a Padma Shri and Arjuna Award winner. And won the Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award in 2020 which is India's highest sporting honor. He used all his prize money to buy a paddy field for his mother and built a better house for his family. Mariyappan believes that his right deformed big toe helps him to get the leap. “This is what gives me leverage when I jump,” he says. “It is my God.” India is a country of amazing sporting talent. But we also need to be a country to celebrate all sports athletes. Everyone doesn't get brand deals and sponsors. The only fuel for these athletes is their grit and determination. Our only job is to cheer them and share their stories.

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