Women's pair of Palak-Parul qualify for Paralympics

New Delhi, May 22: Women's pair of Palak Kohli and Parul Parmar on Friday became the first Indian para shuttlers to qualify for Tokyo Paralympics. The duo is currently ranked sixth in the world.

 

The 18-year-old Palak and veteran Parul, who couldn't compete at the Spanish Para-Badminton International (May 11-16), due to travel restriction in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, received an official intimation from the world body BWF on Friday. Palak and her partner Parul has achieved the qualification for the SL3-SU5 Women’s Doubles event in para-badminton, which will be making its debut in this year’s Paralympics.

 

"There is no limit to what we can accomplish! I am very happy to share that I have officially received invitation along with Parul to represent the country in Tokyo 2020ne Paralympics in Women's Doubles SL3-SU5 event," said Palak, who is the youngest para-badminton player in the world to qualify for Tokyo Paralympics.

 

 

 

 

"I pay my gratitude to: My coach who has been my pillar of strength. Who gave me the confidence and made me who I am today. My family who trusted me and allowed me to spread my wings and let me go for the things I believed in," she added. Further, she thanked Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and other sports fraternity.

 

The duo was ranked fifth before the Spanish event and even though they had made the qualification criteria, they were waiting for the official communication, which was due after the Spanish event. Palak and Parul are currently training at the Gaurav Khanna Excellia Badminton Academy, the first Indian professional para-badminton academy, in Lucknow.

 

 

Palak will represent India in the Paralympics in two events. After making it to the SL3-SU5 Women’s doubles event, Palak now awaits a call in the SU5 Singles category, where she’s currently ranked number 11 in the world.