Kapil Parmar has made history by winning India’s first-ever Paralympic medal in judo, securing a bronze in the men’s 60kg (J1) category at the Paris Games. Parmar’s impressive performance saw him decisively defeat Brazil’s Elielton de Oliveira with a 10-0 victory in the play-off match on Thursday.
In the semifinals, Parmar faced a tough challenge and was defeated by Iran’s S Banitaba Khorram Abadi, ending the bout with a score of 0-10. Despite this setback, Parmar’s determination shone through as he bounced back to claim the bronze.
The J1 classification in para judo is designated for athletes with minimal to very low visual activity. Competitors in this category wear red circles to indicate their need for guided support throughout their matches.
Earlier in the tournament, Parmar had shown his prowess by defeating Venezuela’s Marco Dennis Blanco with a score of 10-0 in the quarterfinals. However, he was issued yellow cards in both of his matches on Thursday for minor rule violations, such as passivity or techniques that could hinder his opponents.
Hailing from Shivor, a small village in Madhya Pradesh, Parmar’s journey to the podium has been marked by extraordinary challenges. As a child, he suffered a severe electric shock from a water pump, which left him in a coma for six months. He was discovered unconscious by a villager and rushed to the hospital for emergency care.
Despite being the youngest of four brothers and a sister, Parmar’s family has been a pillar of support. His middle brother, also a judo enthusiast, trains with him regularly. His father works as a taxi driver, and his sister runs a primary school in their village.
Throughout his recovery and career, Parmar has been unwavering in his passion for judo, thanks to the guidance of his mentors and coaches, Bhagwan Das and Manoj. His dedication to the sport continued even as he managed a tea stall with his brother Lalit to support himself financially.
Lalit remains a crucial source of inspiration and financial support for Parmar, underscoring the personal sacrifices and struggles that have accompanied his rise to Paralympic success. Parmar’s achievement not only highlights his resilience but also marks a historic milestone for Indian judo.