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.
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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.
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Speaking 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.