- By Manik Sharma
- Sat, 23 Dec 2023 11:34 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Year Ender 2023: 2023 turned out to be a record-breaking year for Indian athletes as they delivered their best performances on the biggest stage of Asia—the Asian Games 2023 and the Asian Para Games 2023 held in Hangzhou.
India wrapped up the Asian Para Games 2023 with a historic medal count of 111, comprising 29 gold, 31 silver, and 51 bronze medals.
In the overall medals tally of the Asian Games 2023, India claimed the fourth position, achieving their best-ever performance at the quadrennial event, securing a total of 107 medals, comprising 28 gold, 38 silver, and 41 bronze.
There were numerous athletes who delivered standout performances, hailing from humble backgrounds. However, two individuals garnered the attention of the entire world, not only for their performances but also for their sheer determination to weather the storm.
1. Sheetal Devi
In the Asian Para Games 2023 in Hangzhou, the 16-year-old Sheetal defied all odds, emerging as the most successful Indian athlete. She secured two gold medals in the women's open individual compound and mixed team compound events, along with a silver in the women's doubles compound event.
In a historic achievement in November, Sheetal attained the world's No. 1 ranking in para archery's compound category. Her exceptional performances throughout the year earned her the title of the best youth athlete at the Asian Paralympic Committee's award ceremony in Riyadh.
During the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, Sheetal, seated in a chair, utilised her right leg to raise the bow and pulled the string back with her right shoulder, assisted by a modified shoulder releaser designed for the chin and mouth to create the trigger. Her unique style of shooting caught everyone’s attention around the world.
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Sheetal suffers from a rare congenital condition called Phocomelia, leading to the underdevelopment or absence of limbs, particularly the arms and legs.
Sheetal's upcoming big challenge awaits at the Paralympics in Paris, where she will participate in the Women's individual compound open and mixed team events.
2. Jyothi Yarraji
Hailing from Vizag, 24-year-old Jyothi Yarraji is the fastest Indian in the women's 100m hurdles. Jyothi’s father serves as a private security guard, while her mother works as a part-time cleaner in a city hospital.
Jyothi made her mark on the international stage at the Cyprus International athletics meet in Limassol on May 10, 2022, where she secured the women’s 100m hurdles national record with an impressive timing of 13.23 seconds, surpassing the previous mark set by Anuradha Biswal in 2002.
Her spirit was further highlighted at the National Games 2022, where Jyothi not only bagged gold in the 100m, an unusual event for her, but also set a new National Games record with a timing of 11.51s, defeating stalwarts like Dutee Chand and Hima Das.
Continuing her impressive performance, Jyothi improved her national record at the National Open Athletics Championships 2022 in Bengaluru, clocking 12.82s, securing the gold medal. Jyothi re-wrote the national record seven times before making her appearance in the Asian Games 2023.
The turning point in Jyothi's career came at the Hangzhou Asian Games, where she faced disqualification in the women's 100m hurdles final.
China's Yanni Wu, who made a false start, was initially disqualified along with Jyothi, but due to officiating decisions, both Wu and Jyothi were allowed to run with a condition that the officials would decide on disqualification after the race.
Amidst a 10+ minute break and challenges in regaining her focus, Jyothi not only managed to finish third but was eventually awarded the silver medal after Wu's disqualification.
Sheetal and Jyothi are the torchbearers of the 'Never Give Up' attitude for the generations to come. Both athletes will be in action in the Olympics and Paralympics in Paris representing India.