Yogesh Kathuniya Eyes Gold at Paris Paralympics: Determined to Break the Silver Streak
Discus thrower Yogesh Kathuniya is eyeing a gold at the Paris Paralympics. Hailing from a small village, he continues to be one of the most successful athletes in country. Having won minor silvers, Kathuniya is determined to get a major and not a minor this time. His entire focus has been on this one single goal: to win that gold and break the pattern of silver so far defining one’s career.
A Near Miss History
Kathuniya’s sterling show in the Japanese capital helped him bag a silver in men’s F56 discus throw with a best effort of 44.38m. Still, Claudiney Batista of Brazil edged him with 45.59m to the top podium. This has been a recurring theme for Kathuniya: he has on recent occasions placed behind Batista, who topped the World Championships in Paris (2023) and Kobe.
‘I have to stop the trend and convert the silver medal into gold,” declares Kathuniya. “I have four silver medals now from major competitions. I’m not satisfied.’ The gaze never pans far away as he continues to strive to achieve his desire.
And Kathuniya definitely knows what a giant challenge Batista provides. It was in the World Championships of 2023 that Batista had a giant throw of 46.07m for glory, with Kathuniya’s throw of 43.17m getting second place. This year again, at the Kobe Worlds, Batista hurled a 45.14m throw to outdo Kathuniya, who, as to be pointed out, was injured and could only manage to throw a distance of 41.80m. And this happened during their rivalry; there looms the shadow of Batista’s personal best: an outstanding 47.37 meters.
To claim the gold in Paris, Kathuniya knows he must outdo Batista. “It is going to be a neck-and-neck fight for the gold medal and it will come around 47m-48m,” he predicts. Kathuniya’s personal best of 48.34m, achieved at the 2022 Indian Open National Para Athletics meet, gives him confidence. However, replicating such performance on the international stage remains his key challenge.
Overcoming Injury: A Test of Resilience
Kathuniya has had his share of challenges in his journey to Paris. He had a setback in 2022 when he was diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy, which is pressure on the nerve roots in his spine at C4, C5, and C6 parts of his vertebra. This hurt his training in quite a big way. But with strict rehabilitation, nutrition, and physiotherapy, Kathuniya could overcome it.
“I had problems with my C4, C5, and C6. So, that was a handful of issues throughout the training. But I had proper rehab and I’ve come back well.” His determination to regain full fitness and compete at his best is a testament to his resilience and dedication to his sport.
Mental and Physical Preparation for Paris
Despite that, Kathuniya believes he does have the edge with his experience and readiness for the prestigious games. “This year, I have only played in one competition. I was mentally preparing and training towards getting my peak for Paralympics,” he says. He has eight years of competitive experience, so he knows what is expected in the big competitions.
His stress on mental preparedness and strategic training speaks to personal commitment to being at peak form for the Paralympics. “I have worked hard in my training and I am confident that I will be able to give my best in Paris,” Kathuniya says.
Personal Journey: Overcoming Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Kathuniya may have come from a not-so-satisfactory life at the beginning, yet he rose to be a world-class athlete. He was diagnosed with the rare neurological disorder Guillain-Barre syndrome causing general muscle weakness, thereby keeping him in a wheelchair when he was only nine years of age. All these he has been able to overcome with the help of his family, particularly his mother, who had to study physiotherapy to help him throughout the recovery process.
Looking Ahead: The Run-Up to Gold
As the Paris Paralympics draw closer, Yogesh Kathuniya aspires to become that single and glorious exception to the silver rule—the defiant dissenter to the curse of silver. The journey ebbs with endurance and flows with an indomitable spirit of excellence. Desperately keeping his eye at the best, Kathuniya is now eager to face the best in the world and make his breakthrough on the biggest stage. His story inspired everyone to understand that, with perseverance and dedication, even the toughest of problems can be overcome.
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