<p>“The accident happened during my posting at Pathankot,” the 51-year-old Gurang said on Wednesday. “The incident left me with a damaged spinal cord, resulting in lower-limb paralysis. Initially, it was very difficult. After leading much of my life as a normal human being -- I was 25 when the accident happened -- I felt shattered. But in 1991, I heard about sporting events for the physically challenged and decided to start a new chapter in my life.”<br /><br />An ambition-drive Gurang set his early sights on athletics and earned his first international ticket to the South East Pacific Games (SEPG) at Bangkok in 1999 where he finished with a bronze in shot put. Three years later, the Maharashtrian raised his level a few notches, clinching silver in the next edition of the SEPG in shot put, discus and javelin. Brimming with confidence, Gurang finally threw the discus to a gold-medal winning distance at the SEPG in Kuala Lumpur, 2006. “I sincerely feel the accident was luck by chance. Had I been normal, I would not have dreamt of travelling to so many countries and representing India, let alone winning medals. It definitely has been the turning point of my life and I need to thank the Paralympic Committee of India for giving me the opportunities,” said Gurang, who also finished sixth in the discus throw event at the 2004 Paralympic Ga-mes. Gurang -- who has switched to table tennis -- has tasted international success but there are many more phy-sically challenged athletes determined to make a mark, as evidenced by the huge numbers that turned up at the National paralympic table tennis championship which concluded here on Wednesday. <br /><br />The Nationals serve as trials to pick the India team for the Asia and Ocenia meet and the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sport Games (IW-AS). “My sole focus is to get selected for the Asia and Oceania and IWAS,” said Sonal Manubai Patel, confined to a wheelchair after being afflicted by polio as a six-year-old in 1987. “I am yet make a mark internationally. After tasting national success last year, I am totally charged up.” The body might be a little weak, but there is no disputing the spirit of these admirable athletes.<br /><br />DH News Service</p>
<p>“The accident happened during my posting at Pathankot,” the 51-year-old Gurang said on Wednesday. “The incident left me with a damaged spinal cord, resulting in lower-limb paralysis. Initially, it was very difficult. After leading much of my life as a normal human being -- I was 25 when the accident happened -- I felt shattered. But in 1991, I heard about sporting events for the physically challenged and decided to start a new chapter in my life.”<br /><br />An ambition-drive Gurang set his early sights on athletics and earned his first international ticket to the South East Pacific Games (SEPG) at Bangkok in 1999 where he finished with a bronze in shot put. Three years later, the Maharashtrian raised his level a few notches, clinching silver in the next edition of the SEPG in shot put, discus and javelin. Brimming with confidence, Gurang finally threw the discus to a gold-medal winning distance at the SEPG in Kuala Lumpur, 2006. “I sincerely feel the accident was luck by chance. Had I been normal, I would not have dreamt of travelling to so many countries and representing India, let alone winning medals. It definitely has been the turning point of my life and I need to thank the Paralympic Committee of India for giving me the opportunities,” said Gurang, who also finished sixth in the discus throw event at the 2004 Paralympic Ga-mes. Gurang -- who has switched to table tennis -- has tasted international success but there are many more phy-sically challenged athletes determined to make a mark, as evidenced by the huge numbers that turned up at the National paralympic table tennis championship which concluded here on Wednesday. <br /><br />The Nationals serve as trials to pick the India team for the Asia and Ocenia meet and the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sport Games (IW-AS). “My sole focus is to get selected for the Asia and Oceania and IWAS,” said Sonal Manubai Patel, confined to a wheelchair after being afflicted by polio as a six-year-old in 1987. “I am yet make a mark internationally. After tasting national success last year, I am totally charged up.” The body might be a little weak, but there is no disputing the spirit of these admirable athletes.<br /><br />DH News Service</p>
