The Inspiring Journey of Anita: From Gym to Paralympics Qualification

In a heartwarming tale of determination and triumph, Anita, a young woman with a below-the-knee disability, has made history by helping India secure their first-ever para-rowing qualification for the Paralympics in Paris. Col Ramakrishnan, the Commanding Officer of the Army Rowing Node (ARN) at Pune, vividly recalls the journey that led to this momentous achievement.

Anita, a road accident amputee from Rajasthan, caught the attention of Col Ramakrishnan and his team in 2022 when she was spotted posting impressive gym numbers despite her disability. With the support of her father, who was a jawan from the Defence Security Corps, Anita joined forces with Havaldar Narayana, a mine blast survivor and para-rower, to form a mixed doubles para combination.

Despite initial doubts about her ability to withstand the rigors of training, Anita quickly proved herself to be a formidable rower. Within just two months of joining the team, she showed remarkable mental strength and skill on the boat. With the Rowing Federation of India backing their mission, Anita and Narayana went on to win medals at the Asian Games and, most recently, secured their ticket to Paris with a dominant performance in Korea.

Col Ramakrishnan, who had initially set out to find the perfect rowing partner for Narayana, now looks to the future with optimism. With Anita paving the way, the ARN is now opening its doors to more women rowers, with plans to train and recruit female soldiers in the sport. Anita’s success has inspired others like Pallavi Chaubey, another road accident victim, who is now being groomed to follow in her footsteps.

As Anita and Narayana prepare for the next Asian Games, their story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring para-athletes across the country. With their sights set on Olympic glory, the ARN is poised to make a lasting impact in the world of rowing, thanks to the indomitable spirit of athletes like Anita.