Rakesh Kumar, Shyam Sundar Swami and Tarif created history by bagging the first-ever gold medal for India in a para archery event by finishing on top in the European Para Archery Cup Stage II at Nove Mesto Nad Metuji in Czech Republic on Friday.
The compound team, which qualified second behind Iran, defeated Romania 224-207 in the final to make the country proud. Their achievement augurs well for the country ahead of the Para Asian Games scheduled in Jakarta in October and Para Olympics to be held in Tokyo in two years’ time.
The team selection trials for the Para Asian Games will be held at Rohtak on July 18 and 19. The trio overcame their physical disabilities with their indomitable spirit.
Rakesh, who hails from Katra in Jammu, is paralysed from below his waist after meeting with an accident, while Rajasthan’s Shyam Sundar Swami uses the teeth to pull the bow string as one of his limbs is paralysed.
Haryana lad Tarif finds it difficult to position himself while shooting with a disability in one of his legs.
