 "'The right to play is as important as the right to education, we need better infrastructure to allow disabled children to play': Ekta Bhyan")
The sky of Indian sport is full of inspirational stars and one of the brightest is Ekta Bhyan.
Ekta, who represents India in the women’s Club Throw F-51 category in global tournaments, is a huge inspiration for not just para-athletes, but anyone and everyone who learns about her life story.
The 40-year-old, who had to completely reinvent herself at the age of 18 after a road accident, is a living, breathing example of the sheer strength of willpower. Guided and helped at every step by her supportive parents, Ekta found renewed purpose in sports. And once she had taken that first step, she didn’t have to look back – going on to win two Asian Para Games medals, including a gold in Jakarta in 2018 and completing a hat-trick of World Championship medals at the New Delhi Games earlier this month. And that is the mantra that Ekta shares with anyone who comes to seek her advice about pursuing a career in para-sports – “take that first step”.
The highly decorated athlete has now set her sights on another Asian Games medal, but the one she truly covets is the one that’s not there yet in her trophy cabinet – a Paralympic medal. Club Throw is part of the next edition of the Paralympics, in Los Angeles in 2028, and Ekta is firmly focussed on winning a medal at those Games for the country.
In a free-wheeling exclusive chat, Ekta talks about her latest triumph at the World Championships – a silver medal, the changing landscape of Indian para sports, what more needs to be done on the infrastructural level in the country and also in terms of mindset to help people and especially children with disabilities be able to play more, the biggest turning points of her sporting career, the role that decorated Indian club thrower, Paralympian and mentor Amit Saroha has played in her life, how the New Delhi World Championships were organised very efficiently and better than the last two editions in Japan and France, the importance and dire need of more corporate support in the Indian para-sports ecosystem and much more.
This is an exclusive interview with the unstoppable and inspirational Ekta Bhyan…
Firstpost: Many, many congratulations on another very successful outing at the World Championships. The silver medal you won this time makes it three successive medals for you at these Championships now, from 2023 to 2025. How long did it take for the feeling to sink in that you had won a hat-trick of World Championship medals for the country?
Impact Shorts
More ShortsEkta Bhyan: I realised (that the hat-trick was complete) after I received the medal. The event was on the evening of the 4th (of October) and I received the medal on the morning of the 5th. After I received the medal is when it sunk in. I was glad that my family and friends were there with me to see me receive the medal. It was a moment that will always be very close to my heart.
FP: This time the World Championships were held at home for you, in New Delhi. How similar or different was the outing this time in New Delhi compared to the last two editions in Paris and Kobe, in 2023 and 2024?
EB: I will give you my very honest review. I have been to Paris and Kobe for the World Championships, before this, and the arrangements in our country were much, much better, especially in terms of food quality. It was very difficult for us, in Paris and in Kobe, to get a good vegetarian diet. In New Delhi, I had many conversations with my fellow athletes from different countries and they were (all) very happy with the quality of food available. This was one of the major differences (via-a-vis the Games in Paris and Kobe). Nutrition is very important for athletes and to get (good) vegetarian food abroad can be a huge hurdle, but here (in the Games in New Delhi) both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets were considered.
The second thing is accessibility. Yes, overall, we are lagging behind in terms of overall (disabled-friendly) accessible infrastructure in our country, but for this event, special arrangements were made. The rooms, washrooms were totally accessible. The transportation was (equipped) with ramps and lifts. Also, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, special provisions were made and reconstruction work was done to install lifts and ramps. So, when we were at our accommodation, or travelling in the buses or at the venue, we felt like we are in a country where everything is smooth and convenient for us to use. So, specifically for this event, accessibility got a great push.
Yes, we need to upgrade the rest of the infrastructure as well. It shouldn’t be for just one World Championship, or one hotel or one stadium. It has to be (done) everywhere, at every public space, in every public vehicle. But at the Games, I didn’t find anybody complaining about the accessibility or the arrangements.
FP: That is a very positive thing to hear, because whether an athlete ends up on the podium or not is a separate matter altogether, but the overall experience of being at a tournament, the comfort and ease of doing things and getting from one place to another and the entire time spent there is what is most crucial…
EB: Yes. At the Tokyo Paralympics for example, I was highly impressed to see the infrastructure vis-à-vis the wheelchair users or the visually impaired. After that I would say I saw similar infrastructure in our country. In the World Championships in both Kobe and Paris, there were some challenges.
FP: Right. So, overall, you would say these Games were well organised?
EB: Yes.
FP: Alright. Let’s talk about the performance now of the Indian contingent, overall. India finished 10th this time in the medal tally with 22 medals – their best ever medal haul at the World Championships. As a senior member of the contingent, what was your take on the overall spirit in the contingent this time?
EB: I found the athletes to be very confident. If I talk about Nishad’s performance ( Nishad Kumar won a maiden gold medal in the men’s high jump T47 while setting a new Asian record), he had been winning silver medals for the last three-four years, in the Paralympics as well (won silver medals in the Tokyo and Paris Paralympics in 2021 and 2024) and then here, on home soil, he won a gold. I think that was because of the confidence that comes from the support from the (home) audience – that is one of the factors. Overall, many new athletes won medals (maiden medals) – that is very encouraging.
Sumit Antil completed a hat-trick of gold medals (two-time Paralympic champion, Sumit Antil, completed a hat-trick of World Championship titles with a new Championship record of 71.37m in the men’s F64 javelin throw category). And the best part was that for the first time we had four medallists in the women’s categories (Simran Sharma – gold in Women’s 100m T12, Ekta Bhyan – silver in Women’s Club Throw F51, Deepthi Jeevanji – silver in Women’s 400m T20, Preethi Pal – silver in Women’s 100m T35 and bronze in Women’s 200m T35).
(Female) participation (in the Indian contingent) has gone up, but I wish there is more female participation in the future. The number of (female) participants is increasing, but I wish it becomes a 50-50 ratio (equal number of male and female participants). The overall medal tally has improved and the number of women winning medals has also gone up.
FP: Now, people like us - we are observers. We are on the outside and we talk to people who are on the inside – like yourself to try and understand things. As an insider, what is your take on how much the landscape of para-sports in India has changed, say in the last decade?
EB: In the last ten years, things have gone more and more in the favour of the athletes (in India). All the stakeholders are proactively working for the para-athletes. Especially from the Sports Authority of India side, the two schemes – TOPS (target Olympic podium scheme) and Khelo India (both Government schemes that are implemented by SAI). These schemes have been helping develop athletes – TOPS for the elite athletes and Khelo India for the grassroots athletes. Since last year, Khelo India has begun to include para-sports. There are only a few (para) events currently, but now this year (2025 edition which was held in March) a few more disciplines have been added compared to last year (the 2025 edition saw the participation of over 1300 para-athletes and the programme included six disciplines - Para Archery, Para Athletics, Para Badminton, Para Table Tennis, Para Powerlifting, and Para Shooting).
The support from the Government has increased. The TOPS scheme is something extraordinary which helps athletes excel. Then, the private players – there are foundations like GoSports, Olympic Gold Quest, Welspun Sports Foundation – who are working on this. But still, budding athletes find it difficult to get support. I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to Welspun Sports Foundation, who have been supporting me on this journey. When I found out that my event – Club throw – was not a part of the Paris Paralympics, I was discontinued from the TOPS scheme. So, I am thankful to Welspun for supporting me. Yes, the responsibility might lie with the Government, but it’s not solely the Government’s responsibility. Like say in able-bodied cricket, there are many private players who support the athletes. But that is not the case for para-athletes. Only a very few organisations, which you can count on your fingers, support para-athletes.
Our Welspun Super Sports Women athlete, Ekta Bhyan, has once again made the nation shine on the global stage by winning the Silver Medal in the Women’s Club Throw F51 event at the World Para Athletics Championship 2025.
— Welspun World (@WelspunWorld) October 8, 2025
With a season-best throw of 19.80m, Ekta has showcased not… pic.twitter.com/TJ9CgwJjTC
So, we need support from the Government and from private bodies – those who are supporting able-bodied athletes must support para-sports also. Financial assistance is needed more in para-sports, because our wheelchairs, assisted devices, artificial limbs are very, very expensive. A basic wheelchair costs around Rs 5 lakh. An artificial limb costs around Rs 15 lakh. And you have to change your wheelchair or artificial limb after every 5-8 years. We also need someone to help us while travelling. So, we have to bear the expenses of the persons who are accompanying us. So, yes, para-sports is expensive. The Government is helping a lot, but I wish some more private companies etc come in, especially to help the budding athletes, at the grassroots level.
FP: I am glad you talked about the grassroot level, Ekta. In most of my conversations with Indian para-athletes, this is a recurring theme. You talked about private players when it comes to grassroot initiatives, but who do you think should really take the lead here to ensure that it’s a comprehensive programme? I am asking you this, because there are a number of stakeholders involved and sometimes it becomes a question of who is going to initiate a programme? Do you think the private sector should take the lead entirely?
EB: I will start by saying that the right to play is as important as the right to education. We don’t see children with disabilities in our parks. We don’t see children with disabilities in the stadiums or public places. That is because these are not accessible to them. It’s such a basic thing – going to the park. First, we need to work on the infrastructure and the mindset. Most of the parks in our cities are blocked – you need to enter via steps, which is (often) impossible for disabled children. So, first-up we have to generate the basic infrastructure so that everyone can play – not just professionally but also recreationally. The second thing is the mindset. People think that the disabled must stay at home. The education rate is just 45 per cent in the disabled community and employment rate is less than 10 per cent. So most disabled people are restricted to their homes because of the lack of opportunities. So, the mindset has to change – that everyone must get an opportunity to play.
Then, like the Government has special reservations for the disabled in educational institutes and in jobs, the same thing should apply to the sports sector as well. Also, I completely agree that people like me, who are senior (athletes) must take the responsibility to guide budding athletes. I always do my best. I often get messages to come and meet people and I go to schools which have children with disabilities and I guide them and their parents. What is lacking is the awareness. They want to pursue sports, but they are clueless about which sport they should start playing. They might want to swim, but the pools are not wheelchair accessible. It’s not about the interest, it’s about the infrastructure available in your country, in your city. I want to go swimming, but I can’t.
So, infrastructure is very important and the next thing is coaching. I am very glad that the SAI and the Sports Ministry are appointing ex-para athletes as coaches. The same thing should happen at state-level and in private schools. Like we have special educators in schools, we must also have coaches who can train the para-athletes and children with disabilities. The responsibility lies with everyone. People like you, people like me – who can guide (others) and ask for more accessible infrastructure and put a budding athlete in touch with the right person. More than 50 per cent of the population with disabilities are restricted to their homes. Many parents can’t afford wheelchairs for their disabled children, so then they can’t move around independently, so it becomes difficult to pursue any dream, career, education or employment.
FP: One thing that you mentioned was how many children are often confused about which sport to pursue. I wanted to go back to the beginning of your sporting career and talk about how and why you picked club throw. You had also trained for discus throw…
EB: Club throw is the only event that is specially designed for people who have disabilities in all four limbs. My lower limbs are completely paralysed and my upper limbs are partially paralysed. Those who have disabilities in all four limbs they are eligible to play club throw. So, that was my only option.
Secondly, my coach Mr Amit Saroha (two-time World Championship silver medallist and five-time Asian Games medallist in club and discus throw) is a club throw player and he guided and mentored me. Athletics is something that can be pursued with existing infrastructure. I can use a gym, if it is on the ground floor and also go to ground-level spaces for my throwing sessions. Currently I am going to a school where I have my throwing sessions. So, athletics is something that can be adjusted so that infrastructure of able-bodied athletes can be used. So, this is how my club throw journey began.
FP: You mentioned Amit Saroha. He played a big role in shaping your club throw career. When you look back at your association with him and how it began, what are the memories that you have?
EB: When I met him, I realised that it was not just me, he had helped and guided many para-athletes. He introduced many people to para-sports. There’s Dharambir Nain (2024 Paralympic gold medallist in club throw F51) and many others. He (Amit Saroha) has helped many people start their para-sports journeys and many of them who he has supported have rural backgrounds. That is why I say that it is everybody’s responsibility. Helping them (para-athletes) in acquiring a wheelchair or equipment or guiding them about an exercise schedule that they can follow on a daily basis.
FP: And what about family support? Regardless of what sport an athlete pursues and what level she or he is playing at, family support is absolutely essential. Tell us a little bit about the family support that you have had…
EB: Family support is something that everyone needs, but parenting a child with disabilities is a very big thing. In 2003, I met with a road accident and since then my parents have been my consistent support, my pillars of strength. I completed my education and they have been with me during my examinations, during my college days.
When I started my sports career, I wasn’t very sure. I had a job. I didn’t know whether I would be able to do it or not (pursue sports). My parents told me – ‘you already have a job, so you can give it (sports) a try’. I started my sports journey with their support. My disability is one of the most severe disabilities. I need assistance of two persons on and off the field, on an every day basis. (My parents helped me) both in terms of getting the assistance to carry out day to day activities and also to give the confidence to take the next step. They gave me the confidence that I could re-start my studies after the accident. They gave me the confidence that I can start my para-sports career. I will give the whole credit to them.
FP: When you look back at your career so far – one that has been such a decorated one - what would you say has been the most uplifting moment so far, the happiest moment and why?
EB: I really cherish the memory of my first National medal. That gave me a lot of confidence and I began to believe that I can pursue sports at a professional level. The second one was the Asian para-Games gold medal (in 2018 in Jakarta). That was a life-changing moment for me. I was the first (Indian) female in our category to win a gold medal. That medal was very important for me and it gave me a purpose. After that I believed that I can focus on World Championships and Paralympics.
FP: You have completely dominated club throw competitions in the country and also internationally. What are your main goals and targets now, after a hat-trick of World Championship medals when you look ahead to the future? There’s of course the next edition of the Asian Para Games coming up in October next year…
EB: I always divide my goals into two categories – short-term goals and long-term goals. The short team goal is the Asian Para Games in 2026. Winning a medal at those Games will be my short-term goal. And even though I have three World Championship medals and two Asian Games medals, I am missing a Paralympic medal. My event – club throw – is back (in the Paralympic programme) for LA 2028 (next edition of the Games), so I am completely focused on that. Winning a Paralympic medal is something that I am looking forward to.
FP: You mentioned people and organisations who have helped you on your journey, including the Welspun Foundation. It’s really heartening to see organisations like this one coming forward to help para-athletes in the country. Apart from the material support that they are providing, it must also be such a big psychological boost for you…
EB: Absolutely. I am just so thankful to them. They have been with me for five years now and they are always there for me. It is not just about the financial support they are offering. If I need any kind of nutritionist consultation or other sports sciences consultation, they are always with me. Also to provide my wheelchairs and sports equipment. Their approach focuses on the all-round development of the athlete. They ask me specifically what kind of support I need. I am so thankful to them. The best part is that they are proactively making this effort to support female athletes and increase their participation. It is a change-maker step. The women they are supporting are excelling in their events. I am also one of them and I am so thankful to Welspun for their support.
FP: As a senior Indian athlete, what would your advice be for budding para-athletes – just to make the first few steps simpler for them?
EB: What I am about to say is not just for you, it’s what I say to anyone and everyone who comes to me for guidance. Yes, the first step is difficult. And it is solely your responsibility to take the decision to take that first step. After that first step people will come to support you. Maybe you are not getting that kind of support currently, but when you take that first step on your own, I am sure people will come.
When your poster finds a place in a doctor's office, serving as a quiet source of encouragement, hope & strength for patients#ParaSports pic.twitter.com/ZZh6MFEE6r
— Ekta Bhyan PLY (@BhyanEkta) September 18, 2025
People like me, people who can support you financially, they will come. Your family will also step forward. So, if one thinks that – ‘I will start only when I get the support’, that becomes a never-ending loop. You take the first step and people will be there to support you and guide you and help you. Also, never think that your disability can stop you from achieving any kind of goal. You can achieve a lot. You can excel in international sport and you can be a corporate CEO. I have many friends who are wheelchair users who have completed their education from IIM (Indian Institutes of Management) and now they are working as senior officials.
So, disabilities can never stop you. You just have to take the first step and people will be there for you.
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