The Unstoppable Spirit: India's Wheelchair Athletes Overcome Hurdles On and Off the Track

India's wheelchair racers, Manikandan Jothi and Manoj Sabapathi, have achieved a remarkable 1-2 finish in the men's 400m (T54) final at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in New Delhi. Despite their impressive performance, they face significant challenges off the track. The high cost of racing cycles, which can range from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 40 lakh, and the lack of service centers in India pose major hurdles for aspiring athletes.

Manikandan and Manoj, both from Tamil Nadu, have benefited from state government support, which has provided them with racing cycles. They train at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai and hope to inspire more athletes to take up the sport. Their next goal is to qualify for the World Para Athletics Championships in September, also to be held in New Delhi.

Source: The Indian Express