Who is Pooja Jatyan? All you need to know about the Indian para-archer competing at the Paris Paralympics 2024
The story of India's para-archer, Pooja Jatyan, is one that should inspire everyone. Jatyan has overcome great challenges to emerge triumphant. Making her maiden Olympic appearance at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Jatyan is competing in the women's Individual Recurve Open and Mixed Team Recurve Open.
Jatyan, who was born in Gurugram, Haryana, was diagnosed with polio when she was five years old. As a result, her left leg is shorter than her right. However, that has not deterred Jatyan. The young star took up sports in 2011 and competed in several able-bodied competitions in India, where she won medals.
She eventually developed a passion for para-archery during her time at a hostel in Sirsa, Haryana. However, after her 12th standard, she got married and moved to Rohtak. She then took a break from the sport between 2011 and 2018. Jatyan tried her hand at various avenues including studies and business.
However, her undying love for archery brought her back. Pooja took up para-archery yet again in 2018. She made her first international appearance at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Indonesia. In 2022, the 26-year-old became the first Indian para-archer to win a silver medal in an individual event.
Pooja Jatyan's rise in the world of para-archery with a historic feat in 2022
Pooja Jatyan grabbed the country's attention for the first time in 2022. At the 2022 World Para Championships in Dubai, she competed in the women’s individual recurve event. Jatyan went on to create history by clinching India's first ever individual silver in para-archery.
Pooja was close to winning a historic gold, with a 3-1 lead over her opponent Vincenza Petrilli of Italy. However, a couple of 7s, ended her dream for a first-place finish. But, the rising star came out of her debut World Championship appearance as India's next real potential in para-archery.
The para-athlete lived up to the promise with another silver medal at the 2024 Fazza Para-Archery World Ranking Tournament in Dubai. Pooja Jatyan finished 7th in the women's recurve ranking round on August 30, with a score of 585.