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70 Para-Athletes Turn Bengaluru Into a Celebration of Spirit and Resilience

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, November 17th 2025 at 1:43 GMT by Times Now

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Bengaluru Becomes a Sporting Spectacle as 70 Para‑Athletes Turn the City Into a Celebration of Spirit and Resilience

For weeks, the streets and stadiums of Bengaluru have buzzed with a different kind of excitement – the roar of the crowd, the cheers of family and friends, and the steady heartbeat of athletes who have earned the right to represent their nation at the 2024 International Paralympic Games. The 2024 Indian Para Athletics (IPA) Nationals, held in the heart of Karnataka, showcased the stories of 70 “warriors” who arrived in the city and, through their perseverance, turned Bengaluru into a carnival of sport‑spirit and second innings.

Who Are the 70 Warriors?

The term “warrior” in the article is a nod to the athletes’ unyielding determination. They come from a wide spectrum of backgrounds – sprinters who have been training through the pandemic, discus throwers who returned after a severe injury, and wheelchair racers who have made a comeback after a long hiatus. Their classification spans S4–S10 for track and F13–F34 for field events, meaning they compete with a range of physical challenges, from limb deficiencies to visual impairments.

Each athlete carries a personal story that reflects a larger narrative of resilience. Many of them trained with limited resources: a makeshift track in a local schoolyard, or a backyard in a rented apartment. The article highlights athletes such as Rahul Nair (S8) from Kerala, who battled a spinal cord injury in 2019 and now runs the 400m in a time that sets a new national record; Anjali Sharma (F32) from Delhi, who broke her own long‑jump record after a month’s break due to COVID‑19 restrictions; and Kiran Patel (T53), a wheelchair racer whose bronze in the 100m at the previous national meet propelled him to this “second innings” at the IPA Nationals.

The Event: A City Transformed

The Nationals were staged at the Karnataka Sports Authority’s State Stadium, a venue that was re‑decorated with flags and banners to welcome the para‑athletes. The organizers, in partnership with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Paralympic Committee (IPC), arranged a 12‑day schedule that spanned sprints, middle‑distance races, throws, jumps, and the unique “hand cycle” events.

Volunteers and local athletes from the Bengaluru Parasport Club served as guides, while medical teams set up a “health hub” to attend to the athletes’ specific needs. The city’s food vendors collaborated with the IPC to offer specially curated “fuel stations” that provide a balanced diet to help athletes maintain peak performance.

The article notes that the event also served as a qualification platform for the upcoming Rio Paralympic Games, with athletes earning points that will determine selection for the national team. The intense competition was tempered by the underlying spirit of camaraderie – athletes often shared a quick chat or a hand‑shake after the race, underscoring that sport is as much about unity as it is about medals.

Highlights: Records, Comebacks, and Inspiration

A staggering 18 national records were shattered during the Nationals, a testament to the athletes’ hard work and the supportive environment that Bengaluru fostered. In the men’s 400m S8, Rahul Nair set a new record of 53.12 seconds, while Anjali Sharma’s long‑jump of 4.42 meters not only clinched gold but also pushed her to a new personal best.

The most emotional moment came when Kiran Patel crossed the finish line in the T53 100m, his hair streaked with sweat and tears. In the interview that followed, he spoke of his “second innings” – a phrase that captured the essence of the event: a fresh start for those who had missed out on international competition during the COVID‑19 lockdowns.

Another highlight was the “Hand Cycle” event where Latha Rao (F31) showcased a flawless routine that earned her a silver medal and a new national record of 22.4 seconds in the 200m handcycle sprint. The event, seldom seen outside India, demonstrated the diversity of para‑sports and helped bring lesser‑known disciplines into the limelight.

A City’s Embrace: From Fans to Officials

The article places special emphasis on the city’s reaction. “From the moment the athletes arrived, the streets were lined with fans, volunteers, and local politicians,” the writer recounts. A group of Karnataka state officials visited the athletes’ training camps to see how they manage daily life with disability, while local NGOs organized “Meet‑and‑Greet” sessions that fostered community support.

The article links to a video montage produced by the Bengaluru Paralympic Society, showcasing behind‑the‑scenes footage of the athletes preparing for the finals, a candid look at their families’ support, and the city’s celebratory decorations. This visual accompaniment helped underline how Bengaluru turned from a regular city into a “living museum” of resilience and hope.

The Road Ahead: What Does the Second Innings Mean?

In an interview with the IPC spokesperson, it was clarified that the term “second innings” refers not only to a literal comeback after a pause but also to the new wave of talent that is stepping forward. The IPA Nationals served as a training ground for the upcoming 2024 Asian Para Games and the Paralympic Games. The IPC’s 2025 policy states that “athletes who demonstrate consistent improvement over the next year will receive dedicated training grants.”

The article also touches upon the “Para‑Sport Excellence Fund” launched by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, which aims to provide state‑of‑the‑art training facilities for para‑athletes. With the success of the IPA Nationals, Bengaluru is poised to host a regional Para‑Athletics Training Hub by the end of 2025.

Conclusion: A New Chapter for Para‑Athletics in India

The 2024 IPA Nationals was more than a competition; it was a testament to the power of perseverance. 70 athletes, each with a unique story of struggle and triumph, turned Bengaluru into a celebration of sport‑spirit, resilience, and the promise of a second chance. The city’s vibrant backdrop, the athletes’ relentless dedication, and the collaborative support from sports authorities combined to produce a landmark event that will be remembered as a pivotal moment in the history of Indian para‑athletics.

In a country that is still working to level the playing field for athletes with disabilities, the Nationals have illuminated the path forward – one where talent, hard work, and community support converge to create a truly inclusive sporting environment. As the athletes head back to their training camps, they carry with them not just medals, but also the belief that the next innings will be even brighter.