Powerlifters Jaideep and Khatoon qualify for Tokyo Paralympics
The Indian contingent heading for the Tokyo Paralympics got a boost when the World Para Powerlifting handed over two bipartite quotas to India. Jaideep Kumar was given a quota in the men’s 65kg category while Sakina Khatoon will represent India in the 50kg category. Sakina is a bronze medalist at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and a silver medalist at the 2018 Asian Para Games.
India had sent only one powerlifter Farman Basha to the last Rio Paralympics in 2016.
Rohtak-based Jaideep had finished fourth in the last three Para Games and the 2014 Para Commonwealth Games and is now aiming to break the impasse at the Tokyo Paralympics. Jaideep said, “My only goal is to win a medal at the Tokyo Paralympics. This time I want to break the deadlock of fourth place.
Sakina, who became the first Indian woman powerlifter to qualify for Paralympics, said, “Qualifying for Paralympics is a dream come true for me. I was working hard for the last two years for this and now I am trying my best to win a medal.” I will put
Sakina is working hard under the guidance of her husband and coach Basha at the Sai Center in Bangalore. Jaideep will also join the team soon.
