Get latest articles and stories on Sports at LatestLY. Yogesh Kathuniya has changed his life philosophy, and he believes it is slowly going to change his fortunes.
New Delhi [India], October 1 (ANI): Yogesh Kathuniya has changed his life philosophy, and he believes it is slowly going to change his fortunes.
The F56 discus thrower won the sixth medal for India at the ongoing IndianOil New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium when he threw a distance of 42.49 for silver in his second attempt, a Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) release said.
Also Read | Most Runs in ICC Women’s World Cup 2025: Get Updated List of Batters Standings With Highest Run Scorers in Eight-Nation Tournament.
In the past, Yogesh has been known to be over-optimistic. In the lead-up to an important event, whenever you asked him what his prospects were. Invariably, he would speak of gold, nothing less. But the gold never came. In the last two Paralympics, in Paris and Tokyo, as well as the world championships, he had to settle for silver, which wasn’t in line with his words in the lead-up, if truth be told.
On Tuesday, he won another silver, but this time, he had not promised anything. “I have stopped saying I am going to win gold. Paris was a big disappointment. And I believe this change in approach is going to stand me in good stead eventually,” Yogesh, proudly draped in the tricolour, said after his silver.”Every athlete works hard, you have to be lucky too,” he added.
Also Read | On Which Channel Afghanistan vs Bangladesh 2025 Live Telecast in India Will Be Available? How To Watch AFG vs BAN ODI and T20I Cricket Matches Free Live Streaming Online?.
The 28-year-old was particularly happy to win on his home turf and in front of his family and supporters. “Because I have won here, it makes my medal very special. Very happy to have performed in front of my family. They have always been very supportive. As I said before, because I have stopped saying I am going to win gold, there was no pressure on me. I really enjoyed my outing,” he said.
Yogesh also revealed he could have done better if not for some strict belt-tightening. “Officials were a bit strict. The belt was tightened a bit too much, which hampers movement and always brings down the distance by at least 3-4 metres,” he said.
Yogesh is now eyeing the Asian Para Games scheduled to be held in Japan next year. “That’s my next target now. I am tired of playing up my chances now. Enough of saying things. Now’s the time for action. Time for results. I believe in process now, and if that’s taken care of, results will follow,” he said.
The championship kicked off this past Saturday in plenty of heat and humidity. However, as the discus throw event came to an end, it became extremely cloudy and windy, and before long, it started to rain. “I wish the weather had improved a little earlier. I could use some wind,” the 28-year-old said in a light-hearted way.
Finally, Yogesh spoke of how the para sports and para-athletes have come a long way in India. “Not long ago, there was not much going on in the way of financial assistance and future prospects. All that has changed. Sponsors are easy to find to support the athlete. The future is really great. But more than that, para-athletes need empathy and not sympathy, and I am happy to say it’s all changing,” he concluded. (ANI)
(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia’s leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)
