Paris 2024 Paralympics: Indian Para-athlete Preeti Pal Makes History with Bronze in 100m T35

Add as a preferred source on Google

Paris, Aug 30: India's Preethi Pal has etched her name in history by clinching a bronze medal in the women's 100m T35 event at the 2024 Paris Paralympics on Friday, August 30.

This remarkable achievement not only marks Preethi's personal best with a timing of 14.21 seconds but also represents India's first-ever medal in the 100m event at the Paralympics, solidifying her place among the nation's sporting legends.

Competing against a strong field, Preethi delivered a stellar performance, securing her spot on the podium with sheer determination and speed. The race was fiercely contested, with China's Zhou Xia taking the gold with a season-best time of 13.58 seconds, followed closely by her compatriot Guo Qianqian, who claimed silver with a personal-best time of 13.74 seconds.

Preethi's outstanding effort saw her finishing third, ahead of athletes from Iraq, Poland, the Netherlands, Germany, and Kazakhstan.

Preethi's rise in para-athletics began earlier in 2024, during the World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan, where she had her breakthrough moment. Competing in the women's T35 200m event, she delivered a stellar performance, clinching a bronze medal with a personal best time of 30.49 seconds.

This incredible feat made her the first Indian woman to win a medal in this highly competitive event at the World Championships. Her success didn't stop there; in the women's 100m T35 event, she added another bronze to her collection, clocking a personal best of 14.43 seconds.

These accomplishments earned Preethi a spot at the Paris Paralympics, where she continued to shine. Before her international triumphs, Preethi had already made waves at the 6th Indian Open Para Athletics Championships in Bangalore, where she bagged two gold medals. These victories not only solidified her reputation as a fierce competitor but also set her up as one of India's top hopes for the Paralympics.