Who is Prachi Yadav? All you need to know about the Indian para-canoe athlete competing at the Paris 2024 Paralympics
Prachi Yadav is a para-canoe athlete from India who is set to showcase her skills at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. This will mark her second appearance at the prestigious event after competing in Tokyo 2020.
Despite facing significant challenges in her life, including paralysis in her lower body, Prachi has emerged as one of India's top para-athletes, with a journey marked by resilience and remarkable achievements.
In Tokyo 2020, Prachi made history by becoming the first Indian to compete in para-canoeing at the Paralympic Games. Competing in the KL2 category, she finished in the eighth position in the semi-finals, gaining valuable experience that would propel her toward future success. In the Women's VL2 event, she recorded a time of 11.098 minutes.
Although she didn't secure a podium finish, her participation was a milestone for Indian para-sports, and it laid the foundation for her continued growth in the sport.
Despite facing challenges like a rare eye infection that has affected her training, she remains focused on her goal, ready to make India proud on the world stage once again.
A deeper look at Prachi Yadav's journey
Prachi Yadav's journey in para-canoeing began in 2018 under the guidance of coach Mayank Thakur. Her natural talent and hard work quickly translated into success, with her first major international achievement being a bronze medal at the Paralympic World Cup.
She continued to excel, securing top 10 finishes at the 2022 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships, and becoming a multiple-time national champion in India.
After Tokyo, Prachi Yadav's determination to excel only grew stronger. She secured a gold and a silver medal in the KL2 and VL2 categories at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games in 2023.
This success was followed by a stellar performance at the 2024 ACC Paracanoe Asian Championship in Japan, where she won two gold medals, further establishing herself as a formidable competitor on the international stage.
Her achievements have not gone unnoticed. In 2023, she was honoured with the prestigious Arjuna Award, recognizing her exceptional contributions to para-sports in India.