Tejal Damor Wins Bronze at Asian Para Games, Inspires with Determination
Tejal Damor secures bronze in the womens 200m T12 at the Asian Para Games, showcasing resilience and dedication.
Gandhinagar, October 20 (Daily Kiran) : Tejal Damor, a visually impaired athlete from Gujarat, made her mark at the Asian Para Games 2026 held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Competing in the women’s 200 meters T12 event, she clinched a bronze medal, elevating India’s pride on the continental stage. This was her debut at the prestigious competition, where she also achieved her personal best time.
The 24-year-old from Dahod trains at the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Gandhinagar under the guidance of coach Nitin Chaudhary. In her heat, Tejal clocked 25.25 seconds, securing second place and advancing to the finals. This time surpassed her previous best of 25.47 seconds, which she set while winning gold at the Dubai Para Athletics Grand Prix in September.
Tejal credited her coach for this achievement, emphasizing the importance of dedication and discipline in her training. “I want to first thank my coach. This medal is the result of hard work and discipline. Even on Sundays, which are usually rest days, my coach ensured our training sessions were never compromised. If practice was scheduled, he was always there,” she expressed.
Reflecting on her journey, Tejal shared her determination to win a medal. “We came here with high hopes, hard work, and a strong resolve to win. My journey has been full of struggles, but I was determined to return with a medal, no matter the challenges,” she said.
Tejal began her career in para athletics in 2022, participating in both national and international competitions. She secured sixth place at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships and won gold at the 2026 National Championships, followed by another gold at the Dubai Grand Prix.
Training at the NCOE in Gandhinagar, Tejal benefits from comprehensive coaching and sports infrastructure. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has also provided financial support of ₹205,961 for her training and competition schedule. Winning the bronze medal has boosted her confidence, and she is now focused on the women’s 400 meters T12 event, which she considers her main competition.
Tejal mentioned that she and her coach devised a strategy to enhance her confidence for the 400 meters by winning a medal in the 200 meters. “My main event is the 400 meters, which is coming up. My coach and I believed that winning a medal in the 200 meters would bolster our confidence for the 400 meters. Now, with this medal, I feel even more confident about performing my best in my main event,” she stated.
Beyond her personal achievements, Tejal aims to establish a dedicated running track for visually impaired children in Dahod. She believes that such facilities would provide greater opportunities for these children to excel in athletics and develop their sporting talents. The bronze medal and personal best at the Asian Para Games mark a significant milestone in Tejal’s international career, as she prepares to excel in the upcoming 400 meters T12 event.
