India’s impressive showing at Rio Paralympics continued with Deepa Malik creating history by becoming the first Indian women athlete to win a medal at the Paralympic Games.
Deepa won the silver medal in the women’s shot put – F53 event at the Rio Paralympics on Monday.
Deepa, according to Times of India, threw her personal best 4.61m in her sixth and final attempt to finish second behind Bahrain’s Fatema Nedham.
Bahrain’s Fatema Nedham won the gold medal with a best throw of 4.76m, while Dimitra Korokida of Greece bagged the bronze medal with a throw of 4.28m.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Malik for making India proud.
Modi said, “Well done Deepa Malik! Your silver at the #Paralympics makes the nation very proud. Congratulations.”
Deepa has become the third Indian athlete to win a medal at Rio Paralympics after Mariyappan Thangavelu created history as he won the gold medal in men’s high jump T-42 at Rio Paralympics on Friday.
Another Indian Varun Singh Bhati had won the bronze in the same competition, reported NDTV sports.
Thangavelu achieved the feat with a jump of 1.89 metre while Bhati won the bronze with an attempt of 1.86m.
Deepa will receive a cash award of Rs 4 crore under Haryana Sports Scheme for her feat.
Deepa is a paraplegic, paralysed from waist down and mother of two and wife of an Army officer. Life took a twist when a spinal tumour made walking impossible for her 17 years ago.
The spinal tumour had to be operated and 31 surgeries were conducted on Deepa which was healed after 183 stitches between her waist and legs.
Besides shotput, Deepa has participated in javelin throw, swimming and has also been a motivational speaker.
She has also won medals in swimming at international competitions. She holds the Asian record in javelin throw, and also has World Championships silver medals in shot put and discus in 2011.