Deepa Malik books her berth in 2018 Asian Para Games
India's para-athlete Deepa Malik qualified for the 2018 Asian Para Games by securing a top spot in discus Asia Ranking 53 category and a second place in Asian Games combined category event 51/52/53. Deepa achieved this by throwing her personal best of 8.01 meters at the ongoing World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2018. Asian Para Games will be held in Indonesia from October 8-16.
Deepa Malik: The first female Indian Paralympic medallist
Deepa Malik became the first Indian woman to win a medal in the Paralympic Games when she was awarded the silver medal in shot put F53 category in the 2016 Rio Paralympics. The 47-year-old has been confined to wheelchair after suffering a spinal tumor in 1999. She underwent three surgeries and 183 stitches between her shoulder blades, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down.
Disability not a deterrent
Undaunted by her disability, Deepa Malik has been an accomplished swimmer, who swam across the Yamuna river against the current. She was honoured with the Arjuna Award for her achievements as a swimmer in 2012. Deepa is a biker who has covered over 3,000 km from Chennai to Delhi on a customized bike.
