“If you believe in yourself and have dedication, pride and never quit, you will be the winner. There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.”
When it comes to philosophy, this is something Deepthi Jeevanji believes in, and she has continued to overcome challenges on her way to achieving greatness. The 21-year-old sprinted her way to claim the bronze medal at the Paris Paralympics 2024 in the women’s 400m T20 final on September 3, Tuesday. The Indian sprinter reached the podium with a time of 55.82 seconds.
Deepthi Jeevanji’s career so far
The young athlete from Telangana, has emerged as a rising star in the world of para athletics, overcoming the challenges posed by her intellectual impairment. Discovered at the age of 15 by N Ramesh, a coach from the Sports Authority of India (SAI), during a state-level athletics meet, Jeevanji’s potential was quickly recognized. Ramesh took her under his guidance, marking the beginning of her journey in para athletics.
Jeevanji made her international debut at the Asian Youth Championships in Hong Kong in 2019, where she won a bronze medal, signaling her promise in the sport. Despite the difficulties she faces in expressing herself due to her intellectual impairment, Jeevanji’s determination to succeed never wavered. She continued to train rigorously and participated in numerous events organized by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) between 2019 and 2022.
Her dedication bore fruit at the Khelo India Youth Games 2020 in Guwahati, where she clinched gold medals in both the 100m and 200m events. This success was followed by multiple medals at the National Junior and Youth Championships, earning her the title of a Khelo India Athlete.
Jeevanji’s most remarkable achievement came at the 2023 Asian Para Games, where she shattered the Games Record, Asian Record, and later set a World Record with a time of 55.07 seconds at the 2024 World Championship. This extraordinary performance earned her a gold medal, solidifying her status as a rising force in para athletics. While the record was broken during the Paris Paralympics, Deepthi continues her ascend in the world of athletics and remains a force to be reckoned with.