Defying disabilities: Indian para canoeists gear up for world stage

Born on December 30, 1989, Jaideep was just a few months old when he lost strength in his left leg due to a wrong injection given by a doctor. However, he, did not lose hope.

“I had a disability in my leg and was not very good at studies either. But I wanted to make my mark in life. So, I started playing. The sporting atmosphere of Haryana helped me and I grew from strength to strength,” said Jaideep Deswal, who has participated in two Olympics, four Asian Games and eight World Championships so far.

The Rohtak player started with discus throw and practised at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU) in Rohtak. Later, he changed his sport to powerlifting and then to paracanoeing owing to physical constraints.

Jaideep’s father Samunder Singh, a police official, was dejected when disability struck his son, but is now proud of his achievements. “He has worked really hard and mastered every game he played. He has already made the state and country proud and I feel his best is yet to come,” said Samunder Singh.

“I want to do my best for my country and will definitely make my mark,” Jaideep asserted while talking to The Tribune from Milan, Italy, where he has gone to participate in the 2025 ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships.

Jaideep, who belongs to Bhaiyanpur Ladhot village located on the outskirts of Rohtak district in Haryana, is part of the Indian squad which is participating in the World Championships, which is being held from August 20 to 24.

Team India comprises of 10 para canoeists, including Manish Yadav, Amit Kumar, Manish Kaurav, Vajith Valsan, Yash Kumar, Jaideep, Rajni Jha, Pooja Ojha, Sangeeta Rajput and Prachi Yadav.

The Indian para canoeists have already made their presence felt in various prestigious international events and brought laurels to the country. Prachi, Pooja and Yash have participated in the Paris Olympics. Pooja is also a three-time World Champion. Prachi won gold and silver medals in Asian Games-2023 and Manish Kaurav is also an Asian Games medallist.

The team of para canoeists from India hopes to make the country proud at the Milan World Championships, subsequent qualifying rounds and eventually at the Los Angeles Paralympics in 2028.

“Participating in the World Championships is significant for us as it would lead us to compete for the Paralympic Quota in ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championship slated to be organised at Poznan in Poland next year,” said Dr Deepshikha Beniwal, who is accompanying the Indian team as the sole Asian paracanoe official for classification at the ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships-2025.

Dr Beniwal pointed out that it is for the fifth consecutive time that Indian para-canoe athletes are competing at the World Championships. “The athletes’ determination reflects the spirit of courage and confidence. Their journey is a symbol of hope and inspiration, motivating many more para-athletes in India to dream bigger,” she maintained, adding that with consistent international exposure, India’s presence in paracanoe is growing stronger.