NEW DELHI: Simran Sharma, India’s current world champion, effortlessly advanced to the final of the women’s 200m T12 race at the Paris Paralympic Games on Friday, clocking a time of 25.03 seconds. In the earlier heat, Simran secured the top spot and progressed to the semifinals with a timing of 25.41s.
Simran shared the same heat with Germany’s Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt, who had narrowly beaten her to the bronze medal in the 100m final the previous night.
Born prematurely with visual impairment, the Indian athlete encountered numerous obstacles throughout her life, including her father’s prolonged illness and subsequent death. These challenging experiences forged her resilient spirit and fostered a determination to overcome adversity.
Simran shared the same heat with Germany’s Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt, who had narrowly beaten her to the bronze medal in the 100m final the previous night.
Born prematurely with visual impairment, the Indian athlete encountered numerous obstacles throughout her life, including her father’s prolonged illness and subsequent death. These challenging experiences forged her resilient spirit and fostered a determination to overcome adversity.
The T12 classification in the Paralympics is designated for athletes with visual impairments.
Simran’s premature birth led to her spending the initial 10 weeks of her life in an incubator, where her visual impairment was discovered.
Simran’s turning point arrived at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championship, where she participated despite the fear of losing her father.
Although she lost her father shortly after returning from the event, she transformed her grief into a driving force, resolute in honouring his memory through her accomplishments.