Bengaluru: In the latest episode of the House of Glory podcast, an initiative by the Gagan Narang Sports Foundation, double Paralympics medallist Preethi Pal shared her goals for the upcoming World Para Athletics Championships, expressing her determination to regain form and achieve a new personal best.
“I’m currently training for the Para Athletics World Championships in Delhi. My aim is to change the colour of my medal, but I know I’m not at the same level I was during the Paris Paralympics last year. For now, I just want to hit my personal best and accept whatever medal comes my way,” she said.
Preethi clinched two bronze medals at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships in May, and later that year repeated the feat at the Paris Paralympics, winning bronze in both the 100m and 200m T35 events. Recalling her homecoming, she said, “When I returned from Paris, there was a rally from the airport to my village in Muzaffarnagar. It was night and raining, yet nearly 1,750 cars followed mine. People welcomed me with garlands, treated me like a god, and even asked me to bless their children. I’ll never forget that feeling.”
She credited much of her improvement to her idol, Simran Sharma, and coach Gajendra Singh. “Simran Di has been my inspiration since I first saw her run at an inter-state meet. When I moved to Delhi, she introduced me to her husband and coach, Gajju Bhaiya. Though he initially refused to train me, she convinced him. Since then, my performance has improved drastically—dropping nearly one to one-and-a-half seconds in the 100m is huge, and his coaching made it possible,” she said.
Preethi will compete next at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships, scheduled in New Delhi from September 27.
