Sky is the limit for Aakash, a para-player with amputated legs

Stories that inspire

Ajay Joshi

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 25

Aakash Mehra, a double-amputee, is an Asian Youth Para Games champion. He might have prosthetic legs, but glories he has garnered are as much real. The 21-year-old has shown no signs of relenting, transforming tragic turn of events into indelible memories of feats.

There was time when he had ran out of funds for further medical treatment of his artificial limbs but with help of good samaritans, the treatment was done and allowed him to continue his sport. Having won two consecutive gold medals in javelin throw in the state-level tournaments, a silver in the National Senior Para-Athletic Championships 2017, a silver medal in the Asia Youth Para Games 2018, Akash who belongs to an economically poor family, is now preparing for 2021 Paralympics.

After his initial training from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Gujarat, he is presently being looked after by the Khelo India. But due to the lockdown, like many other players, he had to come back to his home here. Sans practice for a few weeks fearing that he might lose his techniques, he’s been practising his trade at Jalandhar Sports College. His next aim is to clinch a medal in the qualifying championships for the next Paralympics. Amidst the crisis when many a lives are hit, Aakash, banking on his sheer perseverance, is unrelenting when it comes to aim for his dreams.

Beginning obstacles, govt support missing

“After opting the game, I knew I had the potential to make my mark in the field but managing artificial legs and body strengths were major hurdles besides diet and physical fitness. I can’t run so I had to only use my hand to build my upper body strength. I spent hours in my workout sessions to develop the suitable body resilience and power in my arms,” Aakash says.

Concentration and balancing both mental and physical strength kept him going. Notably, an appendix injury in 2019 and he was bedridden for almost eight months. After recovering, he had to start all over again. Along with improving his game and practicing daily, he also encourages other physically disabled youth to join para games to transform their lives. He says: “People in backward societies are still unacquainted with the para games, hence I consider it my responsibility to make them aware about the games.”

Although, he is doing his part on the on the ground, which is laudatory, the only thing that is ruffling his feathers is the lack of support from the government. His mother, who works as domestic help, says, “Post winning medals, political leaders promised to provide Aakash a government job along with other rewards but it never happened.” Due to her husband’s mental illness, she is the only breadwinner in the family. Aakash adds: If help is provided I can also run with the support of advance prosthetic legs.”

An inspiration

Apart from winning and participating in several national and international championships, he has also appeared in a national-level ad film by Ebixcash. The ad was aired in the month of March this year to motivate differently-abled people to convert their disabilities into abilities. Being the protagonist in the ad, Aakash not only made himself proud but is a well of inspiration for many.

The past life & resurrection

He had always dreamt of joining the Indian hockey team – his first love was hockey. Although, he had played some state-level matches but as fate would have it. He is now a javelin thrower in the handicapped category as he lost both his legs in a train mishap in 2012. He had taken up the sport to keep his sportsmanship spirit alive. The world seemed to have turned it’s back on him, but then an NRI in 2014 and Ravi Sharma, a social worker, in 2018, funded his prosthetic treatment which immensely fuelled his career. “Apart from playing, now, he also easily rides two-wheelers and bicycles,” his brother shares. Aakash also credits his resurrection to his coaches Rajinder Singh Rahelu, an Arjuna awardee para-powerlifter, and Parvinder Singh, a para-athlete in Punjab police. “Rajinder introduced him to the world of para games in 2017 and motivated him to shine further,” he adds.