The 2020 Tokyo Paralympics is scheduled to get underway right after the conclusion of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Meanwhile, an Indian soldier, who had lost one of his legs in a blast, has qualified for seated shot put.
In another proud moment for India, a soldier has sealed his place in the Tokyo Paralympics 2020. Havildar Soman Rana would be competing in the seated shot put event in the F-57 category.
The intriguing thing about Shillong-based Rana is that he is without a leg. The soldier had lost his right foot during a mine blast in 2006 while serving the Indian Army.
Since then, he has decided to become an athlete, as he trained at the Army Paralympic Node in Pune. He has already established himself in the international para-athlete circuit and is ranked second in the category.
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“Since its raising in 2017, para-athletes of the node have won 28 international medals and 60 national medals. They have represented and won medals for India in Asian Para Games, World Military Games, World Para Championship and World Grand Prix events,” the Indian Army’s Defence Public Relations Officer quoted in a statement.
“Soman Rana has done our country proud and is an inspiration for all the para-athletes in the Indian Army. He is a strong medal prospect to win a medal in Tokyo Paralympics,” it added.
The 38 years old athlete hails from and comes from a humble family background. On 01 December 2006, while serving with his unit in field area, he suffered a mine blast injury and lost his right leg.
Today he is set represent Country at international level. (2/2) pic.twitter.com/jtFNQusOlS
This year, Rana had won the gold at the Tunis World Para Athletics Grand Prix, along with a couple of golds and silver at the National Athletics Para Championship. In 2017, he was also inducted into the Army Paralympic Node.
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