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Follow UsKapil Parmar achieved a historic milestone by winning India's first-ever Paralympic medal in judo, securing a bronze in the men's 60kg (J1) category with a commanding victory over Brazil's Elielton de Oliveira in the play-off held in Paris on Thursday.
Parmar showcased an exceptional performance, thoroughly dominating his opponent to achieve a 10-0 win in the bronze medal match. Earlier, he had been defeated 0-10 by S Banitaba Khorram Abadi in the semifinals. The J1 class in para judo is designated for athletes with minimal to very low visual acuity, and competitors in this category wear red circles to indicate they may need guided assistance during the match.
Previously, Parmar had won a silver medal in the same category at the 2022 Asian Games and had triumphed over Venezuela’s Marco Dennis Blanco with a 10-0 score in the quarterfinals.
On the day of the competition, Parmar received yellow cards in both of his matches. In judo, yellow cards are issued for minor infractions such as passivity or techniques that might impede the opponent or cause harm.
Originating from the small village of Shivor in Madhya Pradesh, Parmar faced a life-changing event during his childhood when he accidentally touched a water pump while playing in the fields, resulting in a severe electric shock. He was found unconscious and taken to the hospital, where he remained in a coma for six months.
As the youngest of five siblings, Parmar's middle brother, who also practices judo, frequently trains with him. His father works as a taxi driver, and his sister manages a primary school. Despite these challenges, Parmar maintained his passion for judo, continuing his journey in blind judo with the support of his mentors and coaches, Bhagwan Das and Manoj.
Parmar’s struggles did not end there; he and his brother Lalit ran a tea stall to support themselves financially. Lalit remains a key source of inspiration and financial support for Parmar to this day.