India's Deepthi Jeevanji added another milestone to her remarkable athletic journey by securing a bronze medal in the women's 400m T20 final at the Paris Paralympics on Tuesday, September 3. This achievement marks India's third track medal at the games, further solidifying the nation’s growing prowess in para-athletics on the global stage. Jeevanji, already a world champion, delivered a stellar performance with a timing of 55.82 seconds, finishing just behind Ukraine's Yulia Shuliar and Turkey's world record holder Aysel Onder.
Deepthi’s success in Paris is a continuation of her meteoric rise in the world of para-sports, where she has consistently defied the odds. Her journey to the podium began with a stunning start in the final, clocking an impressive reaction time of 0.164 seconds. Though she was just 0.66 seconds behind the gold medal winner, her bronze is a testament to her enduring spirit and determination.
Before this, Deepthi had already made her mark by winning gold medals in the Para Asian Games and World Championships, cementing her status as one of India’s most promising para-athletes. In this Paralympics, she follows in the footsteps of her compatriot, Preethi Pal, who also won two bronze medals in the women’s T35 100m and 200m sprints, further highlighting India's strong showing in track events.
Deepthi Jeevanji’s story is one of extraordinary resilience and triumph over adversity. Born on September 27, 2003, in Kalleda village, Warangal district, Telangana, her early life was fraught with challenges, including intellectual impairment and poverty. Her parents, Jeevanji Yadhagiri and Jeevanji Dhanalaxmi, worked as daily wage laborers and had to sell their half-acre agricultural land to survive. Despite the financial hardships, her parents stood by her, resisting societal pressure to send Deepthi to an orphanage due to her condition.
Her journey into athletics began when her Physical Education Teacher in Warangal noticed her potential. Coach Nagpuri Ramesh, who had also coached renowned sprinter Dutee Chand, saw a spark in Deepthi and urged her parents to send her to Hyderabad for training. Despite their initial reluctance due to financial constraints, Ramesh ensured Deepthi received the support she needed, even covering her travel expenses.
Training under Ramesh posed its own set of challenges, particularly due to Deepthi's intellectual impairment. She was diagnosed at the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities in Secunderabad, a diagnosis that allowed her to compete in para-sports. Coach Ramesh had to modify his training methods, as Deepthi struggled with technical details and often became confused. Nevertheless, her dedication and hard work paid off, leading to her breakthrough at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Para Games, where she clinched a gold medal with an Asian record time of 56.69 seconds in the 400m T20 category.
This victory was a turning point not only in Deepthi’s life but also in the perception of her community. The same village that once ridiculed her and her family now celebrated them, with visits from high-profile politicians and officers. Her success brought tangible changes to her family’s life, enabling them to buy back the land they had once sold and resume farming.
In May 2024, Deepthi set a world record of 55.07 seconds in the 400m sprint (T20) at the World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan, securing the gold medal and qualifying for the Paris Paralympics. Although her record was eventually broken by Paris silver medallist Aysel Onder (54.96 seconds), Deepthi’s performance remains a testament to her talent and perseverance.
Deepthi Jeevanji’s story is not just about winning medals; it is a narrative of resilience, determination, and the transformative power of support and belief. Her journey from a small village in Telangana to the global stage of the Paralympics is a powerful inspiration to countless others facing similar challenges. As Deepthi continues to compete and excel, she embodies the spirit of perseverance, proving that with the right guidance and unwavering resolve, one can overcome any obstacle.
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