Paralympics 2024: The ongoing Paralympics in Paris, France has been one of the greatest shows by Indian athletes on the world’s biggest sporting stage. India achieved its highest-ever medal tally on Tuesday (Sep 3) with 20 medals, crossing the mark of Tokyo haul at 19.

But what makes this medal tally even more cathartic are the Indian medal winners, each of who has a story to tell, a story that can inspire an entire generation. One such story is of Deepthi Jeevanji, who clinched the 16th medal for India with a bronze in the 400m T20 race.&nbsp;

Deepthi made history at Paris 2024, becoming the first intellectually impaired Indian athlete to win a Paralympic medal on Tuesday. The 20-year-old finished the race in 55.82 seconds, behind Ukraine’s Yulia Shuliar and Turkiye’s Ayser Onder.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/paralympics-2024-meet-sheetal-devi-indias-17-year-old-odds-defying-archery-sensation-755227">Paralympics 2024: Meet Sheetal Devi, India's 17-year-old odds-defying archery sensation</a>

“I was very tired during the race," Deepthi said after the race. "My body was not used to the time difference (with India).”

For India, this might be its 16th medal in the tally, but for Deepthi it means much more than just a medal.&nbsp;

This is Deepthi’s story.

<h2>Once called a ‘monkey’, Deepthi defies all odds to clinch the sweetest victory at Paris 2024</h2>

Deepthi was born in a small village in the Warangal district of Telangana. Her parents owned a half acre of agricultural land; which was not enough to make ends meet, so they also used to work at others’ farms as daily wage labourers.&nbsp;

Deepthi was born with intellectual disability, a certain cognitive disease that hampered her communication as well as adaptive skills. Since her birth, Deepthi was considered a disgrace and was ridiculed by villagers when she was barely a month old.&nbsp;

“She was born during the solar eclipse and her head was very small at birth along with the lips and nose being a bit unusual. Every villager who saw her and some of our relatives would call Deepthi pichi (mental) and kothi (monkey) and tell us to send her to an orphanage.” Deepthi's mother told The Indian Express in May.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/indias-sumit-antil-sets-paralympic-record-to-win-gold-in-javelin-throw-medal-tally-reaches-14-watch-755356">Paris Paralympics 2024: India's Sumit Antil sets Paralympic record to win gold in javelin throw - WATCH</a>

According to the interview, her mother said that&nbsp;Deepthi was always a calm child who spoke very little. Despite this, the village kids used to tease her, and she would come home crying, said Deepthi’s mother in the interview.&nbsp;

But Deepthi’s talent was recognised in Class 9 by her PET teacher in Warangal. She was a born athlete but lacked skill and support. Deepthi finally trained under coach N. Ramesh and began her journey of relentless progress.&nbsp;

Later on, she was also supported by Pullela Gopichand, who suggested that she be tested at the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disability in Hyderabad. There, Deepthi was certified under the mentally impaired category, after the relevant tests, and that allowed her to participate as a para-athlete.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-registers-best-ever-medals-tally-after-late-show-on-day-6-of-paris-paralympics-games-755692">India registers best-ever medals tally after late show on Day 6 of Paris Paralympics Games</a>

Dipthi was first selected for the Indian team that took part in the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games, where she won the gold medal with a new Asian Para record and the Games record in October 2023 in the 400m run in the T20 category.

She was then selected to the Indian team that took part in the 2024 World Paralympics Championships in Kobe, Japan Championships in May in the 100m and 200m (Category F). Earlier, she qualified for the finals setting a new Asian record with a time of 56.18 seconds and secured a Paris 2024 Paralympics quota.

Now in 2024, Deepthi added one more feat to her name and won her first medal at the Paralympics.

“I am very happy, so happy for this first medal at the Paralympics," Deepthi said. “My parents are also so very happy and very proud.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Paralympics 2024: The ongoing Paralympics in Paris, France has been one of the greatest shows by Indian athletes on the world’s biggest sporting stage. India achieved its highest-ever medal tally on Tuesday (Sep 3) with 20 medals, crossing the mark of Tokyo haul at 19.

Paralympics 2024: The ongoing Paralympics in Paris, France has been one of the greatest shows by Indian athletes on the world’s biggest sporting stage. India achieved its highest-ever medal tally on Tuesday (Sep 3) with 20 medals, crossing the mark of Tokyo haul at 19. But what makes this medal tally even more cathartic are the Indian medal winners, each of who has a story to tell, a story that can inspire an entire generation. One such story is of Deepthi Jeevanji, who clinched the 16th medal for India with a bronze in the 400m T20 race. Deepthi made history at Paris 2024, becoming the first intellectually impaired Indian athlete to win a Paralympic medal on Tuesday. The 20-year-old finished the race in 55.82 seconds, behind Ukraine’s Yulia Shuliar and Turkiye’s Ayser Onder. Also Read | Paralympics 2024: Meet Sheetal Devi, India's 17-year-old odds-defying archery sensation “I was very tired during the race," Deepthi said after the race. "My body was not used to the time difference (with India).” For India, this might be its 16th medal in the tally, but for Deepthi it means much more than just a medal. This is Deepthi’s story. Once called a ‘monkey’, Deepthi defies all odds to clinch the sweetest victory at Paris 2024 Deepthi was born in a small village in the Warangal district of Telangana. Her parents owned a half acre of agricultural land; which was not enough to make ends meet, so they also used to work at others’ farms as daily wage labourers. Deepthi was born with intellectual disability, a certain cognitive disease that hampered her communication as well as adaptive skills. Since her birth, Deepthi was considered a disgrace and was ridiculed by villagers when she was barely a month old. “She was born during the solar eclipse and her head was very small at birth along with the lips and nose being a bit unusual. Every villager who saw her and some of our relatives would call Deepthi pichi (mental) and kothi (monkey) and tell us to send her to an orphanage.” Deepthi's mother told The Indian Express in May. Also Read | Paris Paralympics 2024: India's Sumit Antil sets Paralympic record to win gold in javelin throw - WATCH According to the interview, her mother said that Deepthi was always a calm child who spoke very little. Despite this, the village kids used to tease her, and she would come home crying, said Deepthi’s mother in the interview. But Deepthi’s talent was recognised in Class 9 by her PET teacher in Warangal. She was a born athlete but lacked skill and support. Deepthi finally trained under coach N. Ramesh and began her journey of relentless progress. Later on, she was also supported by Pullela Gopichand, who suggested that she be tested at the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disability in Hyderabad. There, Deepthi was certified under the mentally impaired category, after the relevant tests, and that allowed her to participate as a para-athlete. Also Read | India registers best-ever medals tally after late show on Day 6 of Paris Paralympics Games Dipthi was first selected for the Indian team that took part in the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games, where she won the gold medal with a new Asian Para record and the Games record in October 2023 in the 400m run in the T20 category. She was then selected to the Indian team that took part in the 2024 World Paralympics Championships in Kobe, Japan Championships in May in the 100m and 200m (Category F). Earlier, she qualified for the finals setting a new Asian record with a time of 56.18 seconds and secured a Paris 2024 Paralympics quota. Now in 2024, Deepthi added one more feat to her name and won her first medal at the Paralympics. “I am very happy, so happy for this first medal at the Paralympics," Deepthi said. “My parents are also so very happy and very proud.” (With inputs from agencies)

Once laughed off as a ‘monkey’, Deepthi Jeevanji clinches sweetest victory at Paralympics 2024

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Once laughed off as a ‘monkey’, Deepthi Jeevanji clinches sweetest victory at Paralympics 2024