For differently-abled athlete K.J. Antony, participating in the para-Asian games was a distant dream till a few days ago.
After winning a bronze medal in the ‘Discus Throw’ event at the recently concluded international athletic meet in Tunisia, Mr. Antony has now qualified to participate in the para-Asian games which will be held in Korea during October.
“This is the first time I have qualified for the prestigious international athletic meet and I am extremely happy,” he said. The differently-abled athlete was honoured by District Collector L. Subramanian, here on Monday.
The meet in Tunisia which was held from June 9 to June 12 had athletes participating from twenty-one countries.
Mr. Antony had taken part in the meet with a group of four other differently-abled athletes from Madurai who participated in discus throw, javelin throw and shot put events there.
“While I will continue my rigorous training regime ahead of the para-Asian games in October, I also have to qualify through a selection trial to attend a special coaching camp conducted by the Paralympic Committee of India in August,” the athlete said.
No easy featSpeaking about the athlete’s achievement, J. Ranjith, his coach from the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu and a differently-abled athlete himself said that it was no easy feat to get selected to represent the country at an international platform.
“This will inspire more differently-abled athletes to take to sports and train better since achievements in sports are now being recognized better by the government as well,” he said.
