Yogesh Kathuniya, India’s Paralympic discus thrower, is determined to break his streak of silver medals and claim gold at the upcoming Paris Paralympics. Since winning silver at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021, Kathuniya has consistently finished second to Brazil’s Claudiney Batista at major competitions, including the World Championships in Paris (2023) and Kobe (2023).
“I have to break this trend and change the silver medal into a gold medal,” Kathuniya said. “I’m not satisfied with silver medals anymore.”
Kathuniya knows that to achieve his goal, he must overcome Batista, who has consistently thrown further than him. In the 2023 World Championships, Batista won gold with a throw of 46.07m, while Kathuniya finished second with 43.17m. In Kobe, Batista threw 45.14m for gold, while Kathuniya, recovering from an injury, managed 41.80m for silver.
Despite the challenges, Kathuniya remains confident in his abilities. He has recorded impressive throws at domestic meets in India, including a personal best of 48.34m in 2022.
“It’s going to be a neck-and-neck fight for the gold medal,” Kathuniya said. “I’m confident that I can give my best in Paris.”
Kathuniya’s journey to the Paralympics has been marked by adversity. As a child, he developed Guillain-Barre syndrome, a neurological condition that caused muscle weakness and confined him to a wheelchair. With the support of his family, particularly his mother who studied physiotherapy, Kathuniya gradually regained his mobility.
“It’s been a long journey,” Kathuniya said. “But I’m mentally relaxed when I train at home with my family around. That’s why I don’t go abroad for training.”
Kathuniya’s determination and resilience have inspired many. He is a role model for athletes and individuals with disabilities alike, proving that anything is possible with hard work and perseverance.
