Murlikant Petkar: Indias First Paralympic Gold Medalist and War Hero
Murlikant Petkar overcame immense challenges to win Indias first Paralympic gold medal and served heroically in the 1965 war.
Sangli, October 31 (Daily Kiran) : In the realm of sports, few athletes have lives as inspiring as Murlikant Petkar. He made history by winning India’s first gold medal at the Paralympics, overcoming significant challenges along the way.
Born on November 1, 1944, in the village of Peth Islampur in Maharashtra’s Sangli district, Murlikant developed a passion for sports early in life. His robust physique led him to join the Indian Army, where he decided to pursue a career in boxing. With powerful punches, he quickly made a name for himself, even competing for the army at the International Services Sports Meet in 1964.
However, his life took a tragic turn during the 1965 war between India and Pakistan. In a sudden airstrike, Murlikant was shot nine times, and a tank rolled over him. This harrowing incident left him fighting for his life for months, and a bullet lodged in his spine rendered him unable to walk again.
Despite this setback, Murlikant refused to give up. Transitioning from boxing, he pursued a career in swimming as a para-athlete. Gradually, he excelled in this new sport, earning recognition for his performances. After achieving success at the national level, he began competing in various international tournaments.
His most significant achievement came in 1972 when he won a gold medal at the Paralympics held in Germany. He became the first Indian athlete to secure gold at the Paralympics, triumphing in the 50-meter freestyle swimming event. In recognition of his contributions, the government honored him with the Padma Shri in 2018 and the Lifetime Arjuna Award in 2025.
