'Recovering from bone tumor & qualifying for Paris Paralympics 2024 was huge challenge,' says India's para badminton star Palak Kohli

She won a bronze medal at the World Championships 2024.

Palak Kohli, India’s youngest para-badminton Paralympian has been gearing up for the Paris Paralympics 2024 with a mix of determination and hope. Despite facing numerous challenges, including a recent battle with a bone tumor, Kohli has bounced back stronger than ever.

The 22-year-old athlete recently clinched a bronze medal at the 2024 World Championships in Pattaya, marking her return to top form. Kohli’s path to Paris has been filled with both victories and challenges, showing her strength and determination to overcome difficulties.

“The whole entire journey has been a roller-coaster. There have been a lot of ups and downs for me. Whenever I was at the peak, I faced health issues and injuries, but I think it’s these challenges that make you strong and keep you going in the race,” Kohli told Khel Now in an exclusive interview.

Kohli’s path to the Paralympics hit a major roadblock when she was diagnosed with a bone tumor after the Tokyo Games. “Recovering from it and starting badminton from scratch again was tough. Qualifying for Paris by maintaining a top five world ranking was very challenging,” she revealed.

However, her recent performance at the World Championships has proven that she’s back in fighting form. Kohli, unseeded in the tournament, defeated higher-ranked players, including World No. 2 Helle Soffie Sagoy of Norway.

Reflecting on her comeback, Kohli said, “It makes me happy and proud that I won that medal. Being an unseeded athlete and defeating the World No. 2, former World Championship gold and silver medalist. I have surpassed everything and yes, I am back.”

Also read: Paris Paralympics 2024, India Schedule

Kohli’s journey in para-badminton began almost by chance. “I didn’t choose para-badminton, it rather chose me,” she said with a smile. A chance encounter outside a mall introduced her to para-sports, giving her an opportunity to prove wrong those who doubted her abilities.

The young athlete’s commitment to her sport has come at a personal cost. She made the difficult decision to skip her 12th-grade board exams to participate in Paralympic qualifying tournaments. “Where my classmates were giving exams, I was playing finals in the qualifying event for Tokyo Paralympics. All those sacrifices definitely pay you back,” Kohli recalled.

In addition to physical challenges, Kohli has had to adapt to competing in a different category, moving from SU5 to SL4. This change means facing opponents with various types of impairments, presenting a unique challenge. “It’s more tough for me to adapt, to learn, to start everything from zero. But I’m getting stronger day-by-day,” she admitted.

Behind Kohli’s success is her coach, Gaurav Khanna, whom she credits as a pillar of support. “Sir has never treated us like we are disabled. He has always treated us like family and has been a guardian to take care of everyone,” Kohli said, expressing her gratitude.

Kohli is competing in two events at Paralympics. She has teamed up with Suhas L Yathiraj, the reigning world champion, for the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 event and will also feature in Women’s singles SL4.

Despite her intense focus on training and competition, Kohli maintains a balanced life. She enjoys drawing and writing in her free time, showing that there’s more to her than just being an athlete.

Kohli’s story serves as an inspiration not just for aspiring para-athletes, but for anyone facing challenges in life. Her journey from a young girl with physical challenges to a world-class athlete demonstrates the power of determination and the right support system.

Kohli remains grounded yet ambitious in her quest for a Paralympics medal. Her recent bronze medal at the World Championships has boosted her confidence and she’s eager to prove herself on the Paralympic stage once again.

The road to Paris hasn’t been easy for Kohli, but she’s shown time and again that she has the mental and physical fortitude to overcome obstacles. Her ability to adapt to new challenges, whether it’s recovering from injuries or competing in a new category, speaks volumes about her character and dedication to her sport.

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