Yogita Rathod, 18, a resident of Palanpur Patia in Adajan and student of Deep Education Trust in Rander, secured third position in the 100 metre race at the Special Olympics held in Athens.
A mentally challenged Surti girl has proved her mettle by winning a bronze medal at the Special Olympics held in Greece this year. Coming from a poor family, she was able to take part in the competition with the help of sponsors.
Yogita Rathod, 18, a resident of Palanpur Patia in Adajan and student of Deep Education Trust in Rander, secured third position in the 100 metre race at the Special Olympics held in Athens from June 25 to July 4. She defeated 160 participants to win the bronze medal.
Yogita is the first Surti to achieve such a feat. Interestingly, this was the first time she had taken part in an international competition.
“Despite being mentally challenged, Yogita is very active in sports, especially sprinting. She has won many district, state and national level competitions in sprinting. After seeing her performance, we decided to send her to the Special Olympics,” said Barnali Sheth, principal of Deep Education Trust, which has more than 200 mentally challenged students.
Sheth added that Yogita underwent hard training for the competition. She used to practice for hours at a garden near the school. The school also provided her a trainer.
Yogita’s father works as a casual labourer in the construction sector, while her mother works as a maid.
“We didn’t have money to pay for her airfare and other expenses. School authorities arranged for the money. Gujarat special Olympic Committee paid the airfare, while remaining expenses were borne by the school,” said Bharat Rathod, Yogita’s father.
Rathod said that Yogita has been studying in the school for the past seven years and, apart from sports, has a deep interest in reading.
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