Devika Malik eyes medal at 2022 Asian Para Games

By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: Following within the footsteps of her mom Deepa Malik, who had turn out to be the primary Indian girl to clinch a Paralympic medal when she bagged silver in Rio (2016), Devika Malik is set to make her worldwide comeback by profitable a medal for the nation within the forthcoming 2022 Asian Para Games in China.

Devika grabbed a gold medal within the ladies’s 200m in T35 class on the concluding day of the twentieth National Para Athletics Championship right here at Kalinga Stadium. She clocked 39.01 seconds to complete on the highest of the rostrum.

Devika, who was born as a untimely child with acute neonatal jaundice and hemiplegia which led to paralysis on one aspect of her physique, was again on monitor after 5 years on the age of 31. She touched the Asian qualification mark within the ladies’s 100m (T35 class) by clocking 17.7 seconds on the Dubai Grand Prix earlier this month.

“After a break of almost five years, I have started my training last year. Now I am the oldest competitor in my events. Getting back into shape is not at all easy, it’s a big challenge for me. I had participated in four events in the past year. In every competition, I broke my personal best timings,” mentioned Devika.

“I am having enough time before the Asian Para Games. I am confident my timings will be better to make a podium finish in China. My mother is my idol and inspiration,” added Devika.