Latest news with #SummerParalympics
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Paralympic legend Murlikant Petkar meets Army para-athletes
India's first Paralympic Gold Medalist and Army veteran Murlikant Rajaram Petkar on Wednesday visited the Army Paralympic Node (APN) at Bombay Engineer Group and Centre in Pune. During his visit, he interacted with para-athletes of the Indian Army, as well as patients undergoing rehabilitation at the Artificial Limb Centre, Pune and the Spinal Cord Injury Centre, Military Hospital, Khadki. Starting his sporting career as a boxer in the Indian army before sustaining bullet injuries during 1965 war, Petkar went on to win gold in Swimming in 1972 paralympics. 'His story of unmatched resilience and fortitude served as a beacon of hope and inspiration to all present. His visit was a powerful tribute to the Indian Army's enduring legacy of nurturing champions – both on the battlefield and in the sporting arena.' said a press statement from the Army. Petkar's journey is the inspiration behind Kartik Aaryan starrer Kabir Khan film, Chandu Champion. Born on November 1, 1944 at Peth Islampur area of Maharashtra's Sangli, Petkar joined the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) in 1962 as a Craftsman. Petkar's sports journey began when he represented the Indian Army in Boxing at Tokyo. It was during the 1965 India Pakistan war, Petkar sustained nine bullet injuries in the Sialkot sector resulting in a permanent disability. Refusing to be held back, he transitioned to Para sports and won the gold in the 50-metre freestyle swimming event in the 1972 Summer Paralympics held at Heidelberg in Germany. 'One bullet still remains lodged in my spine as a reminder. I spent 16 months in various hospitals fighting a battle for my recovery. The doctors suggested I take up swimming to help my recovery. It soon became my passion.' Petkar had said during an interaction with the Indian Express earlier. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2018. Petkar's visit on Wednesday marked a special moment as he interacted with Subedar Hokato Sema, Bronze Medalist in Sitting Shot Put at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, and Subedar Soman Rana, Vishisht Seva Medal, a two-time Paralympian from Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. Petkar was felicitated by Maj Gen Anurag Vij, General Officer Commanding, Dakshin Maharashtra and Goa Sub Area, for his remarkable contributions to the nation – both in uniform and beyond. 'The Indian Army has long been a cradle for world-class athletes, supported by cutting-edge training establishments and a robust ecosystem that blends physical excellence with indomitable spirit. This event reinforced the Indian Army's commitment to training and empowering its wounded warriors to achieve excellence in sports and stood as a testament to its focus on rehabilitation through sports.' the release stated.
Graziadaily
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Graziadaily
Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters: Meet Paralympian Ade Adepitan
ITV's newest entertainment format sees a group of celebrities submerged in shark infested waters. If you're wondering who would be crazy enough to sign up to a show like that, TV presenter and wheelchair basketball player, Ade Adepitan, is one such person. As someone who has made their bravery and resilience clear throughout their career, perhaps it's not such a surprise to see Paralympian Ade plunged into a shark cage on the show after all. And if it's made you question where you've seen him before then you've come to the right place. Here's everything you need to know about the presenter. Ade, whose full name is Adedoyin Olayiwola, is a TV presenter and wheelchair basketball player who has hosted travel documentaries and sports programmes for BBC and Channel 4 for more than 20 years. In 2004, Ade won a bronze medal at the Summer Paralympics playing wheelchair basketball. He is an advocate for promoting access to sport for disabled people and received an MBE for his services to disability sport in 2005. Ade got his start as an actor and appeared in Casualty and Desperados and Eastenders before moving into presenting in the early 2000s. He appeared on Channel 4's Unreported World during the 2010s and That Paramlympic Show in 2012 with Rick Edwards. Ade hosted Africa with Ade Adepitan in 2019 and Climate Change: Ade on the Frontline in 2021. Ade has also presented the Invictus Games, The One Show and World's Biggest Cities on the BBC. In 2025, Ade appeared on Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters alongside Lenny Henry, Amandaland star Lucy Punch, Helen George, Rachel Riley, Dougie Poynter and Ross Noble. In the show's attempt to showcase sharks in a new light, Ade takes on the physical challenges with twice the difficulty and vigour because of his disability, making him twice as impressive. Ade was born in Lagos in Nigeria where he contracted polio as an infant. This caused damage to his legs which required him to use a wheelchair. Yes, Ade has been married to singer Linda Harrison, who performs as Elle Exxe, since 2018. They have a son who was born in 2021. Nikki Peach is a writer at Grazia UK, working across entertainment, TV and news. She has also written for the i, i-D and the New Statesman Media Group and covers all things pop culture for Grazia (treating high and lowbrow with equal respect).
