Who is Deepthi Jeevanji, Paris Paralympics silver medalist who was once called 'mental' by fellow villagers?

The Paris Paralympics 2024 has once again highlighted the power of perseverance. Among the athletes rising to glory is India’s Deepthi Jeevanji, whose story is one of sheer determination in the face of adversity. On Tuesday, Deepthi secured the 16th medal for India, winning bronze in the women’s 400m T20 final, finishing the race in an impressive 55.82 seconds.

At just 21 years old, Deepthi made her debut at the Paralympic Games, showcasing her athletic prowess. She followed Ukraine’s Yuliia Shuliar, who clocked 55.16 seconds, and Turkey’s Aysel Onder, the current world record holder with 55.23 seconds. Despite finishing behind these experienced athletes, Deepthi’s achievement at the Paralympics stands out as a significant milestone in her young career.

Deepthi Jeevanji: A star from humble beginnings

Deepthi hails from the small village of Kalleda, located in the Warangal district of Telangana. Her journey to success was not easy, as she battled both personal challenges and the stigma associated with her intellectual impairment. However, her determination helped her rise above these obstacles and shine on the global stage.

Born to farm labourers Jeevanji Yadhagiri and Jeevanji Dhanalaxmi, Deepthi’s struggle with intellectual impairment was first identified by a school teacher at an athletics meet. Her condition, which affected her cognitive and communication skills, did not deter her ambition to excel in sports.

Despite being taunted by some of her fellow villagers, who labelled her as "mental" due to her disability, Deepthi found strength in her passion for athletics. Over time, her community came to appreciate her talents, especially after she achieved a gold medal at the Asian Para Games and later set a world record at the Para World Championships earlier in 2024.

Her parents have openly spoken about the hardships their daughter faced. In an interview with The Indian Express, her mother shared, “She was born during the solar eclipse and her head was very small at birth along with the lips and nose being a bit unusual. Every villager who saw her and some of our relatives would call Deepthi pichi (mental) and kothi (monkey) and tell us to send her to an orphanage. Today, seeing her become the world champion in a far-off country proves that she is indeed a special girl.”

Deepthi made history when she became the first Indian to win a gold medal at the World Athletics Para Championships in Kobe, Japan. The T20 category, in which she competes, is reserved for athletes with intellectual impairments, further highlighting her remarkable achievements despite her challenges.

The rise of Deepthi Jeevanji: From local meets to global podiums

Deepthi’s journey to success began when she was discovered at the age of 15 during a state-level athletics meet by N Ramesh, a coach from the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Recognizing her potential, Ramesh took her under his guidance, marking the start of her career in para athletics.

Her international debut came at the 2019 Asian Youth Championships in Hong Kong, where she clinched a bronze medal, giving a glimpse of her promising future in athletics. Despite her struggles in expressing herself due to her impairment, Deepthi never allowed these difficulties to hinder her progress. She continued to participate in various competitions organized by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) between 2019 and 2022, improving her skills with each race.

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In 2020, at the Khelo India Youth Games in Guwahati, Deepthi’s hard work paid off when she secured gold medals in both the 100m and 200m events. Her success at this national competition was a stepping stone to further accomplishments, as she continued to collect accolades at the National Junior and Youth Championships, earning the title of a Khelo India Athlete.

However, her most outstanding achievement came in 2023 during the Asian Para Games, where she broke the Games Record and the Asian Record. She later set a new World Record with a time of 55.07 seconds at the 2024 World Championships. Although this record was eventually surpassed at the Paris Paralympics, Deepthi’s performance still stands as a testament to her exceptional talent and unyielding determination.

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