Preeti Pal is a dedicated para-athlete specializing in the Women’s T35 100m and 200m events. She belongs to Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh.
Indian para-athlete Preeti Pal made history by securing a bronze medal in the Women’s 100m T35 event at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Her remarkable performance, clocking a personal best of 14.21 seconds, not only earned India its first track and field medal of the Games but also marked a significant milestone in Preeti’s athletic journey.
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This victory added to India’s impressive medal tally for the day, following triumphs by Avani Lekhara and Mona Agarwal in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle SH1 event.
Who is Preeti Pal?
Born on September 22, 2000, in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, Preeti Pal is a dedicated para-athlete specializing in the Women’s T35 100m and 200m events. Training at the SAI JLN Stadium in New Delhi, she focuses on excelling in the T35 disability class, which involves athletes with coordination impairments such as hypertonia, ataxia, and athetosis.
Early Life and Challenges
Preeti’s journey is one of extraordinary resilience and determination. Born into a farmer’s family, she faced significant physical challenges from birth, including weak legs and irregular leg posture, which required her lower body to be plastered just six days after birth. Despite enduring years of traditional treatments and wearing callipers for eight years, Preeti defied the odds and demonstrated an unwavering fighting spirit.
Turning Point in Preeti’s Career
At 17, Preeti’s life changed when she was inspired by watching the Paralympic Games on social media. Despite financial constraints, she began training at a local stadium, determined to follow her dreams.
Her journey in para-athletics took off after meeting Paralympic athlete Fatima Khatoon, who introduced her to the sport. Encouraged by Fatima, Preeti competed in the State Para Athletics Championships in 2018, marking the beginning of her rise in national para-athletics.
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In 2022, Preeti’s perseverance led her to the Asian Para Games, where she finished fourth in both the 100m and 200m events. Although she narrowly missed a podium finish, she remained determined, setting her sights on the Paralympic Games.
Moving to Delhi to train under Coach Gajender Singh at the SAI JLN Stadium, Preeti honed her skills, leading to significant improvements. Her dedication paid off in 2024 when she won bronze medals in both the 100m and 200m events at the World Para Athletics Championship, establishing herself as one of India’s most promising para-athletes.
Preeti Pal’s Achievements
World Para Athletics Championship (2024): 2 Bronze Medals
Asian Para Games (2022): 4th Position in 100m and 200m
Indian Open Para Athletics International Championship (2024): 2 Gold Medals
National Para Athletics Championship (2024): 2 Gold Medals
Support and Government Interventions
Preeti’s success is supported by various government programs, including the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and Khelo India, which have provided her with financial assistance and access to top-tier training facilities.
A New Era for Indian Para Athletics
Preeti Pal‘s bronze medal at the Paris Paralympics 2024 is more than a personal victory; it signifies the growing potential of India’s para-athletes. Her journey from a small village in Uttar Pradesh to the global Paralympic stage is an inspiring story of what can be achieved through determination, support, and hard work.
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