Para-badminton Star Palak Kohli Reflects on Medal-Winning Performances, Paralympic Journey
NEW DELHI – Indian para-badminton player Palak Kohli is riding high after a stellar performance at the Spanish Para-Badminton International Level 1 and 2 tournaments, where she secured an impressive haul of six medals. The young athlete is also gearing up for the BWF Para-Badminton World Championships in France this August and the 2026 Para Asian Games.
Kohli’s Spanish Sweep: A Month of Intense Competition
Kohli’s impressive medal count in Spain included two gold, two silver, and two bronze medals across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events.Competing in back-to-back tournaments in Victoria and Toledo, followed immediately by the Khelo India Para Games, made for a demanding schedule.
“It was a little hectic. It was challenging physically, mentally, everything. But I’m happy that I was able to perform good,” Kohli said,reflecting on the experience. She highlighted playing in all three finals at the Level 1 event as a particular achievement, securing one gold and two silvers. In the Level 2 event, she added another gold and two bronze medals to her collection. Upon returning to India,she also became the Khelo India Para champion.
Preparation and Challenges: Adapting to Win
Despite the demanding schedule, Kohli maintained a rigorous training regime in preparation for the events. Adjusting to varying weather conditions between Spain and India posed a challenge, as did managing nutrition as a vegetarian in international tournaments.
Kohli also spoke about the mental challenges of maintaining consistency across multiple matches and rapidly adapting to changing circumstances on the court. “Sometimes, the first match doesn’t go the way you want it to, you have to recover, you have to quickly adapt to the situations… It’s (a learning process) and it’s interesting,” she explained.
tokyo Paralympics: A Defining Moment
Kohli gained prominence as the youngest para-badminton player at the Tokyo Paralympics, marking a significant milestone in her burgeoning career.
Palak Kohli’s Paralympic Journey: From Ankle Tumor to Paris 2024
At just 21, Indian para-badminton star Palak Kohli is already a veteran of the sport, overcoming significant obstacles to compete on the world’s biggest stage. Despite narrowly missing a medal at the Tokyo Paralympics and battling a bone tumor in her ankle, Kohli’s resilience and determination have her sights firmly set on the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
Tokyo Paralympics: A Debut Filled with Pride and Lessons
Kohli recalls the Tokyo Paralympics with immense pride as it marked para-badminton’s debut in the Games. Competing against more experienced athletes, some of whom had been playing before she was born, was a valuable learning opportunity. “It was the best feeling,” Kohli said, despite the disappointment of finishing fourth in mixed doubles.She emphasizes the importance of moving forward, learning from losses, and focusing on new goals.
Qualifying Against the Odds: A Journey of Determination
Kohli’s journey to Tokyo wasn’t easy. After becoming a national champion in girls’ singles and women’s doubles at the 2019 national championships, she embarked on the international circuit. Lacking sponsors initially, she missed crucial tournaments in Europe due to high costs. However, support from Welspun allowed her to strategically plan participation in key events.Despite starting the year with no world ranking, Kohli and her doubles partner secured a world number five ranking, ultimately earning qualification for women’s doubles. Kohli’s performance also secured her a singles berth and an opportunity to compete in mixed doubles.
Battling a Bone Tumor: A Test of Physical and Mental Strength
Adding to her challenges, Kohli had been experiencing leg pain leading up to and during the Tokyo Paralympics. After claiming three medals (one gold and two bronze) at the Asian Para-Youth Games in Bahrain in 2021, blood tests revealed a bone tumor in her ankle. Despite the pain and physical strain, Kohli persevered, demonstrating incredible mental fortitude.The diagnosis presented a significant hurdle,but Kohli tackled it head-on,balancing treatment with her rigorous training schedule.
Paris 2024: Eyes on the Prize
Now,with her focus on Paris 2024,Kohli brings a wealth of experience and resolve. Her story serves as an inspiration, illustrating the power of dedication in overcoming adversity and pursuing dreams on the global stage.
Para-Badminton Star’s Triumphant Return After Bone Tumor Diagnosis
Overcoming Adversity: A Story of Resilience and Determination
A leading para-badminton player has shared a powerful story of resilience, detailing a challenging journey back to the sport after being diagnosed with a bone tumor. The athlete, who wishes to remain unnamed, faced uncertainty about returning to a normal life, let alone the elite level of competition, after surgery.
Facing the Unknown: A Shattering diagnosis
The diagnosis of a bone tumor marked a “very tough period,” according to the athlete. Multiple medical consultations confirmed the severity, necessitating surgery. The player admitted to feeling “shattered” and unsure of what the future held. Doctors could not guarantee a full recovery, especially regarding the agility, strength, and endurance required for badminton.
Mental Fortitude: The Key to Recovery
The athlete emphasized the mental strength required during recovery. There were periods of self-doubt, particularly during the initial months of being unable to leave the bed. the challenges were both physical and mental, but the player expressed happiness in overcoming them and returning to the sport after a year and a half.
An Unexpected Path to Para-Badminton
The journey to para-badminton was described as a “blessing.” Born with a disability in her hand, the athlete hadn’t considered professional sports. Growing up within a supportive family, her disability wasn’t a point of focus until interactions with the outside world. A chance encounter with Gaurav Khanna, now a Dronacharya and Padma Shri awardee and national head coach of the Indian para-badminton team, in 2017 opened the door to the sport.
From Handball Setback to badminton Success
An incident during handball trials at school, where she was advised to concentrate on studies instead, proved to be a turning point. This led to the decision to try para-badminton. With her parents’ support, she moved to Lucknow in 2018 and began her journey in the sport.
Unwavering Parental Support
The athlete credits a strong support system, particularly her parents, for her success. Initially, her parents didn’t take her interest in badminton seriously, but after continued insistence and further conversation with coach Khanna, they became fully supportive. They facilitated her move to Lucknow to pursue her training.
Inspiration and Goosebumps
entering the arena where para-athletes from different states were training evoked strong emotions, inspiring her on her own path of recovery and sporting excellence.
Palak Kohli: Para-Badminton Star’s Journey of Resilience and Inspiration
NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian para-badminton sensation Palak Kohli,despite facing formidable challenges including a bone tumor diagnosis,exemplifies resilience and determination on her path to success. With unwavering self-belief and support from organizations like Welspun, she continues to inspire aspiring athletes, especially young girls, to pursue their dreams fearlessly.
Overcoming Obstacles: A Turning Point
kohli views her return to the court after her diagnosis as a pivotal moment.Doubts lingered about her comeback, but her unwavering determination fueled her recovery. She emphasized a shifted viewpoint, prioritizing her goals and embracing change.
Words of Encouragement for Aspiring Para-Athletes
Kohli’s message to budding para-athletes, particularly girls, is one of empowerment: Believe in yourself. She urges them to break self-imposed limits, maintain confidence, and relentlessly pursue their dreams, emphasizing the boundless opportunities that arise from unwavering self-belief.”If I can overcome challenges, so can you,” kohli stated.”everything will fall into place.”
Life Beyond the Badminton Court
Outside of her rigorous training, Kohli finds solace and joy in creative pursuits such as arts and crafts and organizing. She cherishes the small things that bring her happiness and enjoys listening to music.
Welspun’s Enduring Support
Welspun has been a steadfast supporter of Kohli since 2019, aiding her journey to qualify for the Tokyo Paralympic Games. Their support extends beyond her sporting career,encompassing her education and overall well-being. Notably,Welspun remained a strong pillar of support during Kohli’s battle with a bone tumor in 2022,offering unwavering assistance with her rehabilitation and recovery. Kohli acknowledges feeling blessed to be associated with a foundation dedicated to supporting female athletes across various fields.
How can aspiring athletes, facing similar financial challenges as Palak did before Welspun’s support, proactively seek sponsorship or funding to pursue their dreams?
Palak Kohli: A Para-Badminton Champion’s Journey – Q&A
Get ready to dive deeper into the inspiring journey of Palak Kohli, the para-badminton star! This Q&A section breaks down key aspects of her career, challenges, and triumphs, offering insights for fans and aspiring athletes alike.
Q&A
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Who is Palak Kohli?
Palak Kohli is a 21-year-old Indian para-badminton player making waves in the sport. She competes in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, representing India on the international stage.
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What are her recent achievements?
Palak recently secured an notable six medals (two gold, two silver, two bronze) at the Spanish Para-Badminton International Level 1 and 2 tournaments.She also became the Khelo India Para champion.
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What challenges has she faced?
She’s faced a demanding schedule, adapting to different weather, and managing nutrition as a vegetarian.Also, she had a bone tumor in her ankle that required treatment and recovery.
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How did she prepare for the tournaments?
Palak maintained a rigorous training regime. She adapted to the weather conditions and mental preparation to stay consistent.
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What was her experience at the Tokyo Paralympics?
It was a significant milestone for her. even though she did not win a medal, it was a valuable learning opportunity. The experience of competing against more experienced athletes gave her more confidence.
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How challenging was it to qualify for the Tokyo Paralympics?
It was challenging and required a lot of strategic planning. She lacked sponsors initially and missed tournaments. Though, with support from Welspun, she was able to plan her participation in key events. Despite not having a world ranking at the start of the year, she and her doubles partner secured a spot.
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What kind of support did Palak receive?
She has received support from welspun since 2019,aiding her journey. She credits her family. Her family gave her support and helped her move to Lucknow for training.
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What are her goals moving forward?
Her main goal is to compete in the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
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does she have any advice for aspiring para-athletes?
She encourages them to believe in themselves, break self-imposed limits, and relentlessly pursue their dreams. She emphasizes that unwavering self-belief opens doors to limitless opportunities.
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what does she enjoy outside of badminton?
She enjoys creative pursuits such as arts and crafts and organizing. She also likes listening to music.
Palak kohli’s story is a powerful testament to the human spirit’s resilience. Her journey inspires us to chase our dreams, no matter the obstacles. Let’s cheer her on as she aims for the podium at Paris 2024!
