Meerut: In a heartwarming tale of perseverance and triumph, Zainab Khatoon, the daughter of a Meerut-based mason, has achieved a remarkable feat by clinching the Silver medal for India in Women’s 61kg Powerlifting at the Asian Para Games 2023 in China. Her incredible journey is a testament to the human spirit’s indomitable will.
Zainab, now 26, was only six years old when her life took a dramatic turn. An injection administered during a bout of fever left her partially paralyzed, robbing her of the ability to walk. Recalling those challenging times from China, Zainab said, “I was suffering from fever, and my father took me to a doctor. The injection he gave me affected my legs and I lost the ability to walk.”
However, Zainab’s dreams of achieving greatness remained undeterred. Her father, Mohd Adil, 47, a mason by profession, stood firmly by her side, determined to secure a normal life for his daughter. Hailing from Sahu Nagla, in Meerut, Adil said, “She aspired to see her name and story featured alongside those of her heroes in the newspapers. She was determined that she would find a way to achieve her goals despite her disability.”
Zainab, who completed her degree in Arts, added, “My father, who makes a living by fixing floors, did not give up on me. He worked tirelessly and saved for my treatment. Over the years, I underwent six operations in Rajasthan and Delhi until I reached Class VII, but nothing seemed to work. There were moments of despair, but my father always lifted my spirits. I used to read newspapers and envy the athletes who achieved greatness. Then, one day, one of my teachers suggested that I could become a para lifter. I shared this dream with my father, and he was more than willing to give it a try.”
With unwavering support from her family and an unshakable resolve, Zainab embarked on her journey into para powerlifting, a sport that she realized could shape her destiny. Recounting her remarkable journey, she said, “For two years, I walked to the bus stop using crutches, boarded a bus for an 18-km journey to the Kailash Prakash Stadium in Meerut, where I would train and then return home. It was a grueling routine, but all the hard work has finally paid off.” Zainab Khatoon’s journey serves as an inspiration to us all, proving that with determination and the support of loved ones, one can overcome even the most daunting challenges to achieve greatness.
