The 4"2' para-athlete reaching new heights! Know Padma Shri awardee Venkatesh's side of story-

During the Padma Awards ceremony, there were several sights that stole the limelight and went viral on social media. One such interesting sight was when para-athlete KY Venkatesh marched towards the stage amidst thunderous applause. All eyes were on the ace athlete. When Venkatesh reached the stage, the President noticed that due to Venkatesh's short height, the distance between the two was more. In such a situation, he asked Venkatesh to come down the stairs so that both of them could come on an equal surface.

 

Intially, Venkatesh gestured it was okay to receive the prestigious award from there but the President insisted. After Venkatesh came down, the President also came down from the stage and presented him with the Padma Shri badge. Seeing this sight, the applause in the historic Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan intensified. Goosebumps!

 

 

 

Recently due to the Tokyo Paralympics, several Indian athletes emerged as rising stars for their medal-winning performances. However, these para-athletes are not the first ones to make India proud. Prior to them, there were para-athletes who were victiorious on the world stage. One of them was legendary Indian para-athlete and Limca World Record holder KY Venkatesh.

 

 

Awarded the Padma Shri for his invaluable contribution to the sport and its development, Venkatesh hails from Bengaluru in Karnataka. He was born with achondroplasia-induced dwarfism that stunted his growth to 4”2’. However, the man has overcome enormous battles throughout his life and emerged victorious more than ever.

 

The 48-year-old has also made our country when his name was registered in the Limca Book of Records for winning the highest number of medals in the World Dwarf Games, 2005. Notably, he was the first Indian athlete to represent the country in the games and won medals in athletics and badminton events. His career in athletics started way back. In 1994, represented India at the first International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships in Berlin.

 

 

It was just the start of a long adventure filled with struggles that has eventually seen him win medals in multiple games including athletics, basketball, hockey, volleyball, football and badminton. He won his first international gold five years later in a multi disability championship in Austria for shot put. Thereafter, he has represented the nation in track and field events as well as other sports winning accolades and medals along the way. The list does not end here. He has won medals in shotput, discuss throw and javelin throw.

 

 

A decorated Indian para-athlete, now retired, was the secretary of the Karnataka Para-Badminton Association before moving on to attending an IPC accredited coaching, technical and classification course in wheelchair basketball. His aim, to promote the sport in India. He has been working in the administration, development and promotion of various sports amongst people with disabilities since retirement. Padma Shri was the award India could give to this legendary athlete.