Producer: Peuli Bakshi
Indian sprinter Deepthi Jeevanji bagged a bronze medal in the women's 400m T20 final event in the Paris Paralympics 2024.
She brought India's third track and field medal, after Preethi Pal's double bronze, by recording a timing of 55.82 seconds.
She was the world record holder at the event with a timing of 55.04s, surpassed by the silver medallist, Aysel Onder.
Jeevenji’s medal was the first medal for India on the sixth day of the Paralympics after a few fifth-place finishes.
The 20-year-old para-athlete was born to daily wagers J Yadagiri and J Dhanalaxmi in a small hamlet of Telangana, Kalleda.
At age 15, Jeevanji was first spotted by N Ramesh, a coach from the Sports Authority of India (SAI), who trained her.
Her journey in para-athletics began with her bronze clinch at the 2018 Asian Youth Championships in Hong Kong.
Her career took a leap as she won gold in both 100m and 200m events at Khelo India Youth Games 2020.
She recorded a World Record timing of 55.07s at the World Championships 2024, securing her qualification for the Paris Paralympics.
Once mocked for her intellectual impairment, Deepthi Jeevenji is now celebrated for her Paralympics glory.