 "How Rakesh Kumar overcame suicidal thoughts to find success in para-archery after a life-threatening accident")
Indian archer Rakesh Kumar made up for his heartbreak in the individual men’s compound competition at the Paris Paralympics, with a bronze medal in the mixed team category on Monday. It was not meant to be for Rakesh on Sunday as he went down to He Zihao of China in the individual compound bronze medal match by just one point, with the Chinese winning that match 147-146.
Paris Paralympics 2024: News | Medal Tally | India Schedule
However, on Monday, the 39-year-old teamed up with 17 year-old Sheetal Devi. The duo defeated Italy's Matteo Bonacina and Eleonora Sarti 156-155 to clinch bronze, just a few minutes after India suffered a narrow loss to Iran in the semi-finals.
Jai Mata Di!! WE DID IT ❤️🇮🇳...
— SheetalArcher (@ArcherSheetal) September 2, 2024
Sharing some moments post-medal ceremony with my incredible mixed doubles partner #RakeshKumar and our coaches @VedwanKuldeep sir and @abhilasha21192 ma’am.
Thank you, India! 🇮🇳 for the love and support ❤️🇮🇳🧿 pic.twitter.com/5MhvHjXAnS
In the individual compound category, Rakesh had beaten Indonesia’s Ken Swagumilang and Canada’s Kyle Tremblay in the last 16 and quarter-finals respectively, with both matches heading into a shoot-off.
Impact Shorts
View AllAlthough this is Rakesh’s second Paralympics after featuring in Tokyo three years ago, this is his first-ever Paralympic medal after having failed to win one in Japan.
Who is Rakesh Kumar?
Rakesh Kumar was born on 13 January, 1985 in Katra, Jammu & Kashmir. His father works as a carpenter whereas his mother is a housewife. In 2010, Rakesh met with an accident and as a result, both of his legs were paralysed. Ever since, Rakesh has remained on a wheelchair, and in the aftermath of the accident, Rakesh even considered committing suicide.
Years have passed since that accident and now Rakesh is one of the most noted athletes in India. Coach Kuldeep Kumar discovered Rakesh, a raw talent, and nurtured him. In 2017, when an archery centre was established at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Sports Complex, the coach invited him for a visit to raise awareness about the sport. Rakesh instantly developed an interest in archery and joined the very next day.
Rakesh has practiced archery on a regular basis ever since he took up the sport. Due to his financial crisis, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board provided him with a monthly allowance under the sports scheme.
Rakesh went onto win several medals at the national level, prior to making a mark at the international stage. And those medals eventually ignited hopes in his coach, that Rakesh would become one of the brightest prospects in Indian archery.
What are Rakesh Kumar’s achievements?
—Tokyo Paralympics (2020) - 6th place
—Asian Para Games 2022 (2023) - Gold Medal in Mixed team & Silver Medals in Individual & Men team
—World Archery Para Championship (2023) - Gold Medal in Mixed team
—Asian Para Archery Championship (2023) - Gold Medals in Individual & Mixed team
Government support
—Financial Assistance for Equipment and Wheelchair
—Financial Assistance for Training & Competition
—Out of Pocket Allowance under TOPS
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