Mandi (Munish Sood)
Ajay Kumar, a decorated para-athlete from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, is rewriting the narrative of courage and resilience in Indian sports.
A silver medallist at the 2023 Para Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, Ajay’s journey from a military officer who lost his leg in the line of duty to an international athlete is nothing short of extraordinary.
Ajay earned his silver medal in the fiercely competitive T-400-metre race, etching his name in the annals of Indian sports history. But behind this shining achievement lies a story of unparalleled determination and grit.
Lost leg in military operation in Jammu’s Uri sector
Born on July 28, 1990, in the small village of Nagwain in Himachal Pradesh, Ajay grew up with dreams of serving the nation. These aspirations took shape when he joined the Army in 2010.
However, his life took a life-altering turn on November 14, 2017, during a military operation in the hostile Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir. Fighting valiantly against enemy forces, Ajay suffered severe injuries, leading to the loss of his left leg.
For most, such an incident would signify the end of their dreams. For Ajay, it marked the beginning of a new chapter. “I could have given up, but my spirit wouldn’t allow it. I had to find a way to keep serving my nation, even if it was in a different capacity,” Ajay recalls.
Discovering para sports
Ajay’s introduction to para sports came in 2018 when a family acquaintance encouraged him to meet Lalit Thakur, the founder of the Himachal Pradesh Para Sports Association.
This meeting proved to be transformative. Lalit recognised Ajay’s potential and introduced him to para-athletics.
With the support of the Artificial Limb Centre in Pune, Ajay was fitted with a cheetah running blade. This revolutionary prosthetic allowed him to pursue his passion for running, marking the beginning of his journey as a para-athlete.
“The blade became my strength. It symbolized my ability to rise again,” Ajay says. His dedication soon bore fruit. In 2021, Ajay competed in the national para championships, where he won six gold medals and three silver medals.
With a growing reputation as a formidable athlete, he set his sights on international competitions, culminating in his silver medal victory at the Para Asian Games in 2023.
Awarded Rs 2.5 cr by Himachal govt for Olympics medal
Ajay’s journey has been bolstered by the progressive policies of the Himachal Pradesh government, which has taken significant steps to encourage athletes.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu recently announced a historic hike in rewards for medal-winning athletes.
Under this initiative, gold medallists at international events are now awarded Rs 4 crore, a significant increase from the previous Rs 50 lakh. Silver medallists receive Rs 2.5 crore, up from Rs 30 lakh, and bronze medallists are awarded Rs 1.5 crore instead of Rs 20 lakh.
Ajay, who received Rs 2.5 crore for his silver medal, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the state government. “This kind of support was unimaginable earlier. The recognition and financial assistance motivate athletes like me to aim higher and inspire others to pursue sports,” he said.
