In a recent interaction, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged with the champions of the Paris Paralympic Games, expressing a keen interest in understanding their experiences and challenges. The meeting highlighted the resilience and dedication of athletes like Kapil Parmar, who excelled in blind judo.

Key Highlights:

• Kapil Parmar’s Journey: Kapil Parmar, a blind judo athlete competing in the 60kg weight category, shared his remarkable journey. Parmar recounted his extensive participation in 16 competitions from 2021, securing 14 medals, including eight golds. His achievements also include silver in the Asian Games and bronze in both the World Games and World Championship. Despite facing significant pressure, Parmar credited his coach, Manoranjar Ji, and fellow athlete Devendra Jhajharia for their support and guidance.
• Challenges Faced: Parmar elaborated on the unique challenges he encounters, including navigating through crowds and receiving guidance from his coach amidst overwhelming noise in the stadium. He described instances where his vision impairment led to physical collisions, necessitating assistance from others.
• Coach’s Perspective: Parmar’s coach detailed the strategies employed in blind judo, such as coded instructions to help athletes perform despite the lack of visual cues. The coach emphasized the difficulty of communicating effectively in noisy environments and the need for secrecy in instructional methods to maintain competitive advantage.
• Prime Minister’s Interest: The Prime Minister expressed a deep curiosity about the athletes’ experiences, particularly regarding the communication challenges faced by Parmar and his coach during high-pressure situations like semifinals. He inquired about the techniques used and how coaches adapt their strategies to the circumstances.
• Techniques and Training: The discussion also touched upon the technical aspects of judo training for blind athletes, including how specific techniques and positions are communicated to the athletes to optimize their performance.

The interaction underscored the Prime Minister’s commitment to recognizing and supporting the achievements of Indian Paralympians. The conversation provided valuable insights into the intricate dynamics of training and competing at the highest level of para-sports.