Deepa Malik wants her Rio 2016 Paralympics medal to support women with disabilities in India

Rio de Janeiro: Shot putter Deepa Malik, who on Monday became the maiden Indian woman Paralympic medallist when she clinched silver at the 2016 Rio Games, said she wants to use the medal to support women with disabilities in India. [caption id=“attachment_3001956” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Deepa Malik became the maiden Indian woman Paralympic medallist when she clinched silver at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. AP[/caption] The 45-year-old, who is the oldest in the Indian contingent in Rio to win a medal, called it a “proud moment” for her and the family. “I want to use this medal to support women with disabilities in India. This journey has been wonderful for me and my entire family, I am proud to be the oldest athlete in the team and win a medal,” Deepa told IANS immediately after her silver medal feat, which she won with a personal best throw of 4.61 metres in the F53 final event. Fatema Nedham of Bahrain won the gold medal with a throw of 4.76m while Dimitra Korokida of Greece bagged the bronze with an attempt of 4.28m which was her best effort this season. Deepa has thus confirmed India’s third medal from the Paralympic Games. India’s tally at this edition of the Paralympics now stands at one gold, one silver and a bronze. Mariyappan Thangavelu had won gold in the Men’s High Jump T42 category on Friday with fellow Indian Varun Bhati taking bronze in the same event.