This disabled Maharashtra youth is a national-level athlete
What's the story
Dreams and hopes are important drivers that steer our lives. For this 27-year-old, those are the only ones, because he's a sportsperson who doesn't have a single toe in his right leg and is 40% disabled. If his disability wasn't enough, he stays in a nondescript village in Kolhapur district, Maharashtra, where sports is still an alien topic. But he trudges ahead, undeterred.
Inspiring
At 2 years, the gritty village boy lost his toes
When Amol Sankhanna was just two-years-old, a bus ran over his leg. Everything changed for him in a moment, except for his love for sports. Though always a part of village cricket team, he didn't venture out of his village to play till Class 7, when his friend suggested he should participate in a cricket competition in Mumbai. He grabbed the opportunity.
Journey
To strengthen his theory, he pursued PG in physical education
In the meantime, Amol pursued PG in physical education, which strengthened his theoretical knowledge of sports. The degree helped him get the job of a sports teacher in a school in Minche village, some 30-kms away from his native Rangoli village. On a daily basis, he trains 80 pupils in badminton and athletics twice a day for two hours: at 4am and at 5pm.
Achievement
He has 5 national level medals in his kitty
His efforts paid off. In less than three years, his students won seven national medals and nearly 10 state medals. His personal achievements are no less as well. For him, his biggest feat was dabbling in athletics, which was unimaginable, he admits. In his decade-long career, he has won five national-level medals and more than 20 state-level medals in athletics and long jump.
Challenges
His ultimate goal? A medal at the Paralympics
Though inspiring, Amol's journey was a bed of thorns, nothing less. He still can't afford a proper diet or specialized coaching, and learns tricks on the internet. He also doesn't get reimbursed for travel while participating in a tournament. But Amol refuses to give up and has his eyes set on his next goal: a medal at the Paralympics. Way to go, Amol!