• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Padma Award 2025: Harvinder Singh, who scripted history by winning the gold medal in archery at the Paris Paralympics has been honored with the Padma Shri award before the 76th Republic Day. He had won the fourth gold medal for the country after beating Poland's Lukas Ciszek 6-0 during the summit clash of the Men's Individual Recurve Open.

It was Harvinder Singh's second medal during the quadrennial event. He also won a bronze medal during the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics. The country had six medals during the Paris Olympics and in the Paralympics, they had won 2 medals, which included seven gold and nine silver. It was the country's best performance in the Paralympics till now. They had broken all their earlier records.

Who is Harvinder Singh?

Harvinder Singh, an exceptional athlete from Kaithal, Haryana, has made a name for himself in the world of archery despite facing many challenges in his life. Born in a middle-class farmer family, Harvinder's journey to becoming a Paralympic archery champion is a testimony to his hard work and determination.

Also Read: IND vs ENG 2nd T20I: Jos Buttler's Reaction Goes Viral As Axar Patel Denies Him His Well-Deserved Half Century In 2nd T20I| Watch

At just one-and-a-half years old, Harvinder contracted dengue fever and an injection given by a local doctor left him with a loss of leg function. He was introduced to archery in 2010 at Punjab University, where he saw a group of archers training.

This moment ignited a deep passion for the sport in him. Two years later, while pursuing a doctorate in economics, Harvinder’s resolve to take up archery professionally became even stronger after watching athletes compete at the London Paralympics.

Father played an important role

Harvinder's path was filled with obstacles. The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted his training, but his father's unwavering support proved invaluable. He converted his field into an archery range, giving Harvinder a chance to hone his skills during this challenging time.

This period of adversity only strengthened his resolve. In 2018, Harvinder achieved a historic victory by winning the gold medal in the men's individual recurve open event at the Asian Para Games in Jakarta.