CHENNAI: We all know the story. But if you are one of those who haven’t heard about it, or if you don’t remember it, here’s a good time to retell the tale. Mariyappan Thangavelu was five and was on his way to school when a drunken driver at the wheel of a bus in interior Tamil Nadu ran over his right leg, crushing his knee and leaving him with a permanent disability.
But Mariyappan never gave up and on Tuesday, the 26-year-old followed up his Rio gold with a silver in the T63 high jump at the Paralympics in Tokyo. Compatriot Sharad Kumar ran him close with a bronze while the gold went to Sam Grewe of the US with 1.88m.
Mariyappan became the third Indian after Joginder Singh Bedi and Devendra Jhajharia to win multiple medals at the Paralympics. But it hasn’t been easy. The Tamil Nadu para-athlete missed practice sessions ahead of the event. He was quarantined for a week as he came in close contact with a Covid-19 positive person on the flight to Tokyo. Being in quarantine meant that Mariyappan, the original choice to be India’s flag-bearer at the opening ceremony, had to make way for Tek Chand.
‘Mariyappan’s mental strength was the key’
Mariyappan revealed that he remained positive despite testing times. “It was tough to not be part of the opening ceremony. I was a little disturbed (mentally) at that point of time. But the important thing for me was to stay focused and not let any negativity affect me,” he told TOI. “The good news was that all my results were negative for the Covid-19 tests conducted and as the practice sessions commenced it was back to business for me,” Mariyappan told TOI.
As the event commenced, persistent rain made the conditions tough. “The weather made a big difference. It became slippery and that affected not just me but everyone’s performance, said Mariyappan. “But despite all that, I am just pleased to have given it my all and very happy to have won a silver,” he added.
Sathyanarayana, Mariyappan’s long-time coach, felt the silver was a reflection of the para-athlete’s mental fortitude. “He remained determined and even during the quarantine phase -- Mariyappan will not compromise on his daily exercise routine and perform stretches inside his room. This medal is a tribute to his mental toughness,” Sathyanarayana said.
The wet conditions notwithstanding, Mariyappan began on a strong note clearing 1.73m in his very first attempt. Sharad too cleared that height in the first go. When the height was increased to 1.77m, both Mariyappan and Sharad had little trouble going past it. Subsequently, both Mariyappan and Sharad crossed heights of 1.80m and 1.83m to remain in contention for the podium finish.
However, when the bar was raised to 1.86m, Mariyappan breached it in his third and final attempt while Sharad failed to do so. Sharad’s event ended at that point but not before finishing with a bronze. As the bar touched 1.88m -- only Mariyappan and Sam were left in the fray. But while Mariyappan couldn’t cross it in his three attempts, Sam did so in the third and final chance to win the coveted yellow metal.
CM announces Rs 2 crore, PM congratulates Mariyappan
Chief minister M K Stalin congratulated the Indian team for its success and announced a Rs 2 crore prize for Mariyappan Thangavelu for winning silver medal in the Tokyo Palaralympics. PM Modi, who congratulated Mariyappan over phone, said it was a wonderful sign that India’s medal-winners are coming from different parts of the country.
