Indian Army Veteran Narayana Konganapalle Secures Paris Paralympics Quota in Rowing Event

In a remarkable display of courage and determination, Havaldar Narayana Konganapalle, a survivor of a landmine blast while serving in the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir, secured a spot in the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Despite losing his left leg below the knee in the tragic incident, Narayana, along with his partner Anita, clinched the quota in the mixed double sculls event at the World Rowing Asian and Oceanian Olympic and Paralympic Qualification 2024.

Clocking a time of 7:50.80, Narayana and Anita finished first in the Asian qualifying championship in South Korea, earning their ticket to the prestigious Paralympic Games later this year. Reflecting on his journey, Narayana expressed his gratitude to the Army authorities, especially Col. Gaurav Datta, for introducing him to Para Games in 2016.

Despite facing physical challenges, Narayana’s passion for rowing never wavered. From winning international medals to overcoming personal hardships, Narayana’s journey to the Paralympics is nothing short of inspiring. Forced to quit sports earlier to support his family, joining the Army reignited his love for sports and paved the way for his success in rowing.

With his sights set on winning a medal in the Paralympics, Narayana remains optimistic about his chances, especially with the support of the Rowing Federation of India (RFI) and a planned preparatory camp. Despite facing challenges and limited support from the State Government, Narayana’s determination and resilience have brought him to the cusp of Paralympic glory.

As Narayana prepares to represent India on the world stage, his story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the indomitable spirit of the human will. With the Paralympics on the horizon, all eyes will be on Narayana as he aims to make his mark and inspire others with his incredible journey of triumph over adversity.