Indian badminton star Palak Kohli reveals recovering from bone tumour and competing in Paris 2024 Paralympics was a huge challenge

She won a bronze medal at the 2024 World Championships.

India’s youngest ever Para Badminton Olympian, Palak Kohli, is preparing for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games with a mix of determination and hope. Despite a series of challenges, including a recent battle with a bone tumour, Kohli has bounced back stronger than ever.

The 22-year-old is back in top form after recently winning a bronze medal at the 2024 World Championships in Pattaya. Kohli’s journey to Paris has been filled with triumphs and challenges, showing her strength and determination to overcome adversity.

“The entire journey has been a roller coaster. I have had many ups and downs. Every time I was at my peak, I faced health issues and injuries, but I believe these challenges make you stronger and keep going,” Kohli told Khel Now in an exclusive interview.

Collie’s Paralympic bid was hampered by a bone tumour she was diagnosed with after the Tokyo Olympics. “It was hard to recover and start playing badminton again from scratch. It was really hard to get to Paris and maintain my world number five ranking,” she said.

But her recent performance at the World Championships proved she is back in the fight. Unranked in the tournament, Collie defeated higher-ranked players, including world number two Helle Sophie Sagoi of Norway.

Looking back on his comeback, Coley said, “I am happy and proud to have won the medal. To beat the world number two, the gold and silver medallist at the World Championships as an unseeded player. I overcame everything and yes, I am back.”

Also read: Paris 2024 Paralympic Games India Schedule

Collie’s journey into parabadminton began almost by accident. “I didn’t choose parabadminton, parabadminton chose me,” she says with a smile. A chance meeting outside a shopping mall introduced her to the sport and gave her the chance to prove her doubters wrong.

The young athlete’s dedication to the sport took a personal toll. She made the difficult decision to skip her Grade 12 exams to compete in the Paralympic qualifying tournament. “While my peers were doing their exams, I was playing in the Tokyo Paralympic qualifying final. All those sacrifices definitely paid off,” recalls Collie.

In addition to the physical challenges, Collie has had to adapt to competing in a different category, moving from SU5 to SL4. This change means facing opponents with different types of disabilities, which presents unique challenges. “It’s harder to adapt, learn, and start from scratch,” she admits. “But I’m getting stronger every day.”

Behind Kohli’s success is her coach Gaurav Khanna, whom she considers a pillar of support. “He never treated us like we were handicapped. He always treated us like family and was a caring guardian for everyone,” Kohli says, expressing her gratitude.

Kohli will compete in two events at the Paralympics. She will team up with reigning world champion Suhas L Yatiraz in the SL3-SU5 mixed doubles event and will also compete in the SL4 women’s singles.

Despite her focus on training and competition, Collie maintains a balanced life. She enjoys drawing and writing in her free time, showing that she is more than just an athlete.

Collie’s story is an inspiration not only to aspiring Paralympians, but to anyone facing challenges in life. Her journey from a physically challenged young girl to a world-class athlete shows the power of determination and the right support system.

Collie is determined and ambitious in her quest for a Paralympic medal. Her recent bronze medal at the World Championships has given her confidence and she is eager to prove herself once again on the Paralympic stage.

The road to Paris was not easy for Coley, but she repeatedly demonstrated the physical and mental strength to overcome obstacles. Whether recovering from injury or competing in a new category, her ability to adapt to new challenges speaks volumes about her character and dedication to the sport.

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