Who is Deepthi Jeevanji? All you need to know about Indian para athlete at Paris 2024 Paralympics
The Indian para quarter-miler Deepthi Jeevanji will represent the nation at the Paris 2024 Paralympics in the 400m T20 event. She holds the Asian Para Games record and also has the World Record to her name.
The T20 category in para-athletics is for athletes who have intellectual impairment. Notably, Deepthi was born with intellectual disability, hampering her communication as well as adaptive skills.
Hailing from Kalleda village, Warangal district, Telangana, Jeevanji was born in 2003 to Jeevanji Yadhargiri and Jeevanji Dhanalaxmi, who owned half an acre of agricultural land. Her athletic talent was discovered by her Physical Education teacher Biyani Venkateshwarulu during her ninth class in Warangal.
She used to outrace her able-bodied competitors in 100m and 200m races, stealing the limelight. Later, she received coaching from Nagpuri Ramesh, the Indian Junior team coach, who trained Dutee Chand.
Financial assistance from legendary shuttler
Jeevanji received additional support from the legendary badminton player Pullela Gopichand, who suggested the para-athlete undergo testing at the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities in Hyderabad.
She was subsequently certified as mentally impaired, which qualified her as a para-athlete. Gopichand went on to provide financial aid to Deepthi via his foundation, which significantly boosted her career.
Deepthi Jeevanji's Debut with the Indian team
Deepthi Jeevanji was picked by the Indian team for the Asian Para Games 2023 in Hangzhou, China, where she clinched the gold medal with a new Asian Para record and the Games record in the 400m T20 event with 55.07 seconds.
At the All India Inter University Championships in Bhubaneswar, she secured two gold medals in the 100m and 200m events.
Creating world record
Later at the Para Athletic World Championships in Kobe, Japan in May 2024, she created a world record and clinched a gold medal in the 400m T20 category, clocking 55.06 seconds, breaking the previous record held by Breanna Clark of the USA at 55.12 seconds.
Earlier in the qualifying round in Japan, Deepthi Jeevanji qualified for the final after creating a new Asian record with a time of 56.18 seconds, securing a Paris 2024 Paralympics quota. Later, at the Indian U20 Federation Cup at ChhotuBhai Purani Sports Complex, Nadiad, she secured a second spot in the 100m Category F event.