As the Asian Para Games 2022 in Hangzhou, China, concluded on Oct 28, players from Gujarat landed at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International airport on Nov 2. 

India won a total of 111 medals, including 29 gold medals, in the Asian Para Games 2022. The total medal tally at the Asian Para Games 2022 witnessed a 54% increase over the previous best performance (in 2018), and the 29 gold medals won were almost twice as many as those won in 2018.

A total of 19 players from Gujarat represented India, participating in multiple events including para athletics, para table tennis, para badminton, para powerlifting, para chess, para cycling, and blind football.

PM Narendra Modi interacted with and addressed the contingent at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, in New Delhi on Nov 1.

Gujarat’s pride shines in Hangzhou

Six players from Gujarat have bagged nine medals in various events.

On Oct 25, Nimisha Suresh, training at the Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) centre of excellence in Gandhinagar, won a gold medal in the long jump (T47 category).

Says Suresh, originally from Kerala, , “I am very happy as it was my first Para Asian Games. Listening to our National Anthem on a larger podium is a whole other feeling.”

She adds, “My journey was indeed difficult; no sportsperson can win every time. Sometimes we fail, but the journey towards the destination makes it all worthwhile.”

Talking about her future plans Suresh says, “The upcoming year is very crucial and important for me as I will start preparing for the 2024 Summer Paralympics.”

A student of traditional Chinese medicine, Ahmedabad-based player Rachna Patel won bronze in badminton singles. She says, “I started playing the game just two years back.” 

With scoliosis (a disability of the spine) and around 12 screws installed in her spine, Patel recalls her struggles, “I felt on top of the world when I received the medal, but I also recalled all those physical, mental, and financial struggles that my family and I faced over a decade.”

She also finds her name in the India book of records as the lead plank record holder by a female (2:29:43).

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