“Harvinder Singh: From Struggles to Glory”
Indian archer Harvinder Singh, who made history by winning the gold medal in archery at the Paris Paralympics, has been honoured with the prestigious Padma Shri award ahead of the 76th Republic Day. Harvinder’s victory in Paris not only marked his personal achievement but also made him the first Indian athlete to win gold in archery at the Paralympics. He triumphed over Poland’s Lukas Ciszek with a 6-0 victory in the Men’s Individual Recurve Open final.
This gold medal marked his second success at the Paralympic Games, as he had previously secured a bronze medal at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics. India’s overall performance in the Paris Paralympics was historic, with the country securing a total of six medals, including seven golds and nine silvers, which remains their best performance in the event to date.
Harvinder Singh, an extraordinary athlete from Kaithal, Haryana, has overcome numerous challenges to establish himself as a Paralympic archery champion. Born into a middle-class farming family, Harvinder’s journey is a testament to his perseverance, hard work, and indomitable spirit.
At just one-and-a-half years old, Harvinder contracted dengue fever, which led to a loss of leg function due to a botched injection. However, this setback did not deter him. Harvinder was introduced to archery in 2010 at Punjab University, where he saw a group of archers training. This sparked a deep passion for the sport in him. A couple of years later, while pursuing a doctorate in economics, Harvinder watched the London Paralympics, and it was this moment that solidified his decision to pursue archery professionally.
Father’s Support Played a Crucial Role
Harvinder’s journey was filled with obstacles, including the disruption of his training during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, his father’s unwavering support played a pivotal role in his success. To ensure that Harvinder could continue practicing, his father converted their field into an archery range, enabling him to train even during these challenging times.
This difficult period only strengthened Harvinder’s determination, and in 2018, he achieved a historic win by securing the gold medal in the Men’s Individual Recurve Open event at the Asian Para Games in Jakarta, marking a major milestone in his career.
