Jyoti's journey from disability to national, International sports glory

Sixteen-year-old Jyoti from Ellenabad, is proving that physical disability cannot stop a determined spirit and mind. Born with one leg shorter than the other, Jyoti has overcome her challenges and become a rising star in para-sports.

Despite her disability, she has achieved remarkable success, winning 12 medals in shot put, discus throw, and javelin throw at national and international competitions.

Jyoti a Class X student at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Odhan from a young age showed interest in sports. Though walking was difficult for her, she didn’t let it come in her way.

She began using a prosthetic leg and started participating in sports. In April 2022, she was selected for a special camp for disabled athletes in Haridwar, organised by Aditya Mehta Foundation. There, she competed in shot put and discus throw and her talent was quickly recognised. This led to her selection for advanced training at the Foundation’s centre in Hyderabad.

Her dedication and hard work started paying off in 2023 at the state-level games in Rohtak, Jyoti won gold medals in shot put and javelin throw. Later that year, she participated in national-level competitions in Gujarat, where she won a gold in shot put and a silver in javelin throw. Her success continued at the international level in December 2023 in Thailand, where she won silver medals in javelin throw and shot put, and a bronze in discus throw.

Despite her success, Jyoti remains humble and focused on improving her ability. After her international performance in Thailand, she expressed her determination to win gold next time. Her coach, Vinu Koti, has been a great source of support and has always encouraged her to stay confident and continue her hard work.

In 2024, Jyoti continued to shine. At national competitions in Bangalore, she won silver medals in both shot put and discus throw. Later that year, she finally achieved her dream: at the international games in Thailand, she won gold in javelin throw and silver in discus throw, bringing laurels to her family and her country.

Along with her sports career, Jyoti has always been dedicated to her education. Even with her busy sports schedule, she remains focused on her studies. She is currently preparing for her Class X exams in February  but is also excited about the upcoming international competitions, including the Dubai International Games in 2025.

Jyoti’s father, Vijaypal, is proud of her achievements. He says, “When she first started sports, we weren’t sure how she would manage, but after her first gold medal, we knew she could do anything.”

Lalit Kalra, the Principal of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Odhan village, said, "We are proud of Jyoti. Despite her disability, maintaining a balance between education and sports is very challenging, but Jyoti has managed to do it. We believe that one day, Jyoti will win a gold medal for the country at the paralympics."

Jyoti’s story is an inspiration to all, especially children with disabilities. She wants others to know that disability does not mean inability. "One should never let one’s physical challenges hold one back because one is capable of achieving great things," she says.