Deepa Malik has been awarded the Arjuna award in the year 2012. (Source: File) Deepa Malik has been awarded the Arjuna award in the year 2012. (Source: File)

India’s Deepa Malik created history by becoming the first ever woman from the country to win a medal at the Paralympics on Monday. Deepa bagged a silver medal in the shotput F-53 event. Her throw of 4.61m was the best in her six attempts. With the win, she confirmed India’s third medal from the Rio Paralympics. She will receive a cash award of Rs 4 crore under Haryana Sports Scheme for winning the silver medal.

Fatema Nedham of Bahrain won the gold medal with the best throw of 4.76m while Dimitra Korokida of Greece bagged the bronze medal with a throw of 4.28m.

She is a paraplegic, paralysed from waist down and mother of two and wife of an Army officer. Life took a twist when a spinal tumor made walking impossible 17 years ago.

The spinal tumor had to be operated and 31 surgeries were conducted on Deepa which was healed after 183 stitches between her waist and legs.

Apart from shotput, Deepa has participated in javelin throw, swimming and has also been a motivational speaker. She has also won medals in swimming at international competitions. She holds the Asian record in javelin throw, and also has World Championships silver medals in shot put and discus in 2011

Deepa’s silver is third medal of the Games after gold and bronze were won by Mariyappan Thangavelu and Varun Singh Bhati in men’s high jump.

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