Life itself is a challenge but you've got to fight: Quadriplegic Paralympic silver-winner Pranav Soorma

Pranav Soorma, a quadriplegic athlete, overcomes challenges to win medals, inspired by role model Virat Kohli.

A quadriplegic who feels that the accident which left him wheelchair-bound was a "blessing in disguise". Pranav Soorma quite lives up to his last name which will now get its fair share of fame after a silver medal on debut at the Paralympic Games.

He claimed the podium finish in the club throw event, the para equivalent of hammer throw, on Wednesday (September 4, 2024) with compatriot Dharambir shattering the Asian record to win the gold medal.

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Soorma was just 16 when a cement sheet fell on him leaving his spinal cord severely damaged causing loss of movement in his legs and hands. Even gripping the wooden club is a massive task for him and he has to use glue to hold it and compete in the event.

"We have worked day and night for this moment because seeing the medical condition, there are a lot of things that are going on and regular training and exercises are a very big challenge in our medical condition," Soorma said after his inspiring performance of 34.59m in the finals.

The Faridabad-lad, who is a commerce pass-out from the prestigious Delhi School of Economics, is also an assistant manager with a nationalised bank.

He said given his physical condition life "in itself is a very big challenge".