Paris Paralympics 2024: Para Athlete Preethi Pal wins Bronze to score India's first-ever track medal

India’s campaign at the Paris Paralympics is going from strength to strength on Day 2 of the event. Para shooter Avani Lekhara opened the medal tally by winning the gold medal in the women’s individual 10m air rifle para shooting event. The second win came at the same event when Mona Agarwal bagged the bronze medal. Now, para athlete Preethi Pal has scored India’s third medal at the Paris Paralympics by winning the bronze in the women’s 100m T35 race. Preethi Pal has brought India its first-ever medal in para-athletics at the 2024 games.

Preethi Pal wins Bronze in Women's 100m T35 race at Paralympics

Preethi Pal achieved her personal best with a time of 14.21 seconds in the 100m race, securing third place. China dominated the podium with Zhou Xia winning gold with a time of 13.58 seconds and Guo Qianqian taking the silver medal with a time of 13.74 seconds. This medal by Preethi is a historic achievement for India as it is the first time an Indian para-athlete has earned a medal in a track event. While India has previously secured 17 medals in para athletics at the Paralympics, all of these have been in field events.

Preethi has another opportunity to add to her medal tally when she competes in the women’s 200m T35 event later on September 1. Preethi is enjoying a stellar season, having made history earlier this year at the World Para Athletics Championships by winning India’s first-ever medal in the 200m T35 event, clocking an impressive 30.49 seconds to claim bronze. This medal adds to India’s count of three medals at the 2024 Paralympic Games, following gold and bronze wins by Avani Lekhara and Mona Agarwal in the 10m air rifle shooting SH1 earlier in the day.

The T35 category, in which Preethi Pal won India its first-ever track medal, is designed for para-athletes with coordination impairments, including conditions like hypertonia, ataxia, athetosis, and cerebral palsy. The gold medal winner at the 2024 Indian Open Para Athletics International Championships and the 2024 National Para Athletics Championships, Preethi Pal has faced numerous physical challenges, including weak legs and irregular posture. Despite dealing with consistent health issues due to her postural deformity, Preethi Pal ventured into para athletics at the age of 17. Now, at 23, the para-athlete has brought glory to India at the Paris Paralympics.