09/01/2026
एकांत मे महाराज जी 🩷🩷🌹🌸⭐️🌺
From Salem Streets to Golden Leaps: Mariyappan Thangavelu Defies Gravity to Clinch Top Honors
New Delhi: In a breathtaking display of resilience and athletic prowess, Tamil Nadu’s high jump sensation Mariyappan Thangavelu soared above the competition to secure the gold medal in the Men’s High Jump T63 event on Tuesday.
The atmosphere at the stadium was electric as the Rio Paralympics gold medalist faced off against a spirited challenge from his compatriot and rising star, Shailesh Kumar.
While the competition began with a crowded field, it quickly whittled down to a duel between the veteran Mariyappan and the youngster Shailesh. The bar was raised to 1.80m, a height that tested the limits of every jumper present.
Mariyappan, displaying his trademark calmness, cleared the height on his second attempt, his unique technique leaving the crowd in awe. Shailesh, despite a valiant effort, could not clear the final bar, settling for a well-deserved silver.
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Mariyappan’s life changed forever at the age of five. While walking to school in his village in Salem, a drunk bus driver swerved and ran over his right leg, crushing it below the knee. Despite the permanent stunt in his leg's growth, he never let the disability stunt his dreams.
Raised by a single mother who sold vegetables to make ends meet, Mariyappan’s journey is one of immense struggle.
"I don't see myself as different. My leg might be damaged, but my will is made of iron. When I approach the bar, I only see the height, not my limitations," Mariyappan said after the victory, wiping sweat from his brow.
A Mother’s Victory
The victory was emotional not just for the athlete but for his support system.
"There were days when we didn't have money for proper shoes. Today, he leaps wearing the best, but his feet are still grounded in the values we taught him," remarked his coach, Sathyanarayana.
Bihar’s Sharad Kumar also put up a strong fight, securing the bronze medal with a jump of 1.78m, ensuring an Indian sweep of the podium in this category.
As the tricolor went up, Mariyappan closed his eyes in a silent prayer, dedicating the win to his mother and the divine intervention that kept him going through the darkest times.
"Mahadev has always guided my path. This jump is for every child in India who has been told they 'cannot' do something," he added with a smile.
