From Tragedy to Triumph: Kapil Parmar’s Journey to Becoming India’s First Paralympic Judo Medalist

Kapil Parmar, the son of a taxi driver, has made history by becoming the first Indian judoka to win a medal at the Paralympics

Kapil Parmar, the son of a taxi driver, has made history by becoming the first Indian judoka to win a medal at the Paralympics. Despite being electrocuted as a child, Parmar overcame his disability to win a bronze medal in the men’s 60kg (J1) category. Parmar’s life-altering accident occurred when he was playing in the fields of his village in Madhya Pradesh. Parmar suffered a severe electric shock and was in a coma for six months. Parmar was left with severely impacted eyes, and he competed in the J1 class, where athletes lost 90 per cent of their vision. Parmar’s love for judo never wavered, and he continued to pursue his passion in blind judo, thanks to his coach, Munawar Azar.

Parmar’s family, including his father and sister, have supported his journey. His brother Lalit, who runs a tea stall with him, has been his primary source of financial support. Parmar’s historic win is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He hopes his medal will lift the profile of para-sports in India and inspire others to take up the sport. “I am feeling proud to have won the first para judo medal for the country,” he said. “I dedicate this medal to my coach, Munawar Azar.” Parmar’s journey inspires many, and his medal win is a significant achievement for India, marking a new era in para-sports. He has proven that with determination and resilience, anything is possible, even in the face of adversity.