Justin Vijay held up his three gold medals, beaming at the cameras.
He was part of the swimming team at the 14 National Paralympic Swimming Championship. “I was in the S2 category — most severely disabled,” he said.
The Paralympics Swimming Association of Tamil Nadu, in association with Tamil Nadu Pudhu Vaazhvu Project, a State initiative, sent 45 swimmers, who won 26 gold medals, 3 silver and 5 bronze medals at the competition held at Indore, Madhya Pradesh, between November 6 and 9.
According to P. Madhavi Latha, general secretary, Paralympic Swimming Association of Tamil Nadu, the team was selected at a preliminary competition held in Chennai in July.
“Before 2010, we didn’t have any representation from the State. In 2011, we had four participants who won four gold and four silver medals. We have come a long way since,” she said. Tamil Nadu was placed fourth at the event.
Pudhu Vaazhvu Project also sent 19 differently abled persons to the 4 National Abilympics for Disabled, held at Chandigarh in November. They bagged four bronze medals in the competition.
Mythili K. Rajendran, project director, Tamil Nadu Vazhvu Project, said, “It is heartening to know there is a water polo team of disabled persons as well,” she said.
