Kapil Parmar Judo, After suffering electric shock and spending six months in a coma, Kapil Parmar has won India’s first Paralympic Judo Medal.
Kapil Parmar Judo: Kapil Parmar hails from a small village named Shivor in Madhya Pradesh
Kapil Parmar Judo: Highlight
Kapil Parmar Judo, After easily defeating Brazil’s Elielton de Oliveira in the play-off in Paris on Thursday, Kapil Parmar won bronze in the men’s 60kg (J1) division, earning India’s first-ever Paralympic medal in judo. Parmar won the bronze medal match with an outstanding performance, controlling his opponent from beginning to end. In the semifinals, he had previously fallen to S Banitaba Khorram Abadi, losing 0–10 to his Iranian opponent.
Kapil Parmar Judo: About the ParaJudo
In parajudo, athletes with no or extremely low visual activity belong to the J1 class. This category’s athletes wear red circles to show that they could require guided assistance prior to, during, and following a competition.
Marco Dennis Blanco of Venezuela was defeated 10-0 in the quarterfinals by Parmar, who went on to win the silver medal in the same category at the Asian Games in 2022.
Kapil Parmar Judo: Nonetheless, Parmar received a yellow card in both of the two games on Thursday.
In judo, minor infractions like passivity or using a technique that could hurt or impair the opponent are punished with yellow cards.
Kapil Parmar Judo: Narendra Modi tweeted.
A very memorable sporting performance and a special medal!
Congratulations to Kapil Parmar, as he becomes the first-ever Indian to win a medal in Judo at the Paralympics. Congrats to him for winning a Bronze in the Men’s 60kg J1 event at the #Paralympics2024! Best wishes for his… pic.twitter.com/JYtpEf2CtI
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 5, 2024
Kapil Parmar Judo: His Earlier Life
Parmar is a native of Shivor, a little Madhya Pradesh village. When Parmar was a young boy playing in his village’s fields, he unintentionally touched a water pump and received a severe electric shock that changed his life.
A villager discovered him unresponsive, and after being brought to the hospital, he spent six months unconscious.
Out of four brothers and a sister, he is the youngest. He frequently exercises with his middle brother, who practices judo as well. Parmar’s sister is the principal of a primary school, while his father is a cab driver.
Parmar didn’t let the disappointment deter him from his passion for judo. Thanks to his instructor Bhagwan Das and trainers Manoj, he kept up his passion for blind judo.
For Parmar, who used to run a tea stall with his brother Lalit to make ends meet, that was not the end of their struggles.
Even now, Lalit, his inspiration, continues to be his primary source of income.
ParaJudo: Judo in Paralympics – A Path to Empowerment
ParaJudo, a form of Judo adapted for visually impaired athletes, has become a significant feature in the Paralympic Games. Introduced to the Paralympics in 1988 for men and in 2004 for women, ParaJudo is now practiced in more than 30 countries worldwide. The sport empowers athletes with disabilities, offering them a platform to showcase their strength, discipline, and perseverance.
What is ParaJudo?
ParaJudo is similar to standard Judo but adapted for athletes with varying degrees of visual impairments, ranging from partial sight to complete blindness. The sport maintains the same objectives: throwing, pinning, or subduing the opponent, but introduces a few unique rules to ensure fairness and safety.
Key Differences Between Judo and ParaJudo
| Aspect | Judo | ParaJudo |
|---|---|---|
| Vision | Full visual cues allowed | For visually impaired athletes |
| Starting position | Athletes start at a distance | Athletes begin by gripping each other |
| Referee Instructions | Verbal & visual cues | Emphasis on verbal instructions |
History of ParaJudo in the Paralympics
ParaJudo made its Paralympic debut in the 1988 Seoul Games. Initially, it was only open to male athletes, but the inclusion of women in the Athens 2004 Paralympics marked a significant milestone. Since then, ParaJudo has continued to grow, both in terms of participants and global recognition.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1988 | First ParaJudo event in Seoul Paralympics (Men’s) |
| 2004 | Introduction of Women’s ParaJudo in Athens |
| 2016 | Brazil’s Antônio Tenório wins his 5th Paralympic medal |
| 2020 | Paralympic ParaJudo held in Tokyo |
The Rules of ParaJudo
ParaJudo follows the same weight categories as the Olympic Judo, but there are additional regulations to accommodate athletes’ visual impairments.
- Starting Positions: Unlike standard Judo, ParaJudo athletes start with grips on each other, ensuring equal opportunity regardless of visual acuity.
- Referee Commands: The referee provides clear verbal instructions, ensuring athletes can follow the match proceedings.
- Assistive Technology: Athletes are guided using tactile methods and sound-based signals to ensure proper positioning and awareness.
ParaJudo Weight Categories
There are several weight categories in ParaJudo for both men and women, ensuring fair competition between athletes of similar body types.
| Men’s Weight Categories | Women’s Weight Categories |
|---|---|
| -60 kg | -48 kg |
| -66 kg | -52 kg |
| -73 kg | -57 kg |
| -81 kg | -63 kg |
| -90 kg | -70 kg |
| -100 kg | +70 kg |
| +100 kg |
Notable ParaJudo Athletes
Antônio Tenório
- Country: Brazil
- Achievements: Five-time Paralympic medalist, Antônio Tenório is one of the most decorated ParaJudo athletes, with four gold medals (1996-2008) and a bronze medal in 2016.
Ramona Brussig
- Country: Germany
- Achievements: Ramona Brussig has won two gold medals in Athens 2004 and London 2012 in the women’s -48 kg category, making her one of the standout figures in ParaJudo.
Paralympic Medals by Country
The following table shows the countries with the highest number of Paralympic medals in ParaJudo as of 2021:
| Country | Gold Medals | Silver Medals | Bronze Medals | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | 10 | 5 | 8 | 23 |
| Japan | 8 | 3 | 9 | 20 |
| Uzbekistan | 7 | 6 | 4 | 17 |
| South Korea | 6 | 4 | 3 | 13 |
| Russia | 5 | 6 | 5 | 16 |
The Growth of ParaJudo
ParaJudo has experienced significant growth in recent years. Countries like Brazil, Japan, and Uzbekistan have emerged as powerhouses in the sport, consistently producing medal-winning athletes. As more athletes and nations join the Paralympic movement, ParaJudo continues to develop, inspiring millions worldwide.
Global Participation of ParaJudo
- Over 30 countries are currently involved in ParaJudo competitions.
- ParaJudo has witnessed an increase in female participation since its inclusion in 2004.
- Judo for the World program promotes inclusion through the International Judo Federation.
Why ParaJudo Matters
ParaJudo is more than just a sport; it is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Athletes who participate in ParaJudo demonstrate incredible mental strength, focus, and physical prowess. Beyond the Paralympics, ParaJudo serves as an inspiration for people with disabilities, proving that limitations are only in the mind.
In conclusion, ParaJudo’s presence in the Paralympics has allowed visually impaired athletes to experience the thrill of competition on the global stage. With growing participation and interest, ParaJudo is set to become an even more integral part of the Paralympic movement, continuing to inspire future generations.
FAQs
- When was ParaJudo introduced in the Paralympics?
- ParaJudo was introduced in the 1988 Seoul Paralympics for men and in 2004 for women.
- What is the main difference between Judo and ParaJudo?
- The main difference is that ParaJudo athletes start with grips on each other, and the sport is designed for visually impaired athletes.
- Which country has the most Paralympic medals in ParaJudo?
- Brazil leads with 23 Paralympic medals, including 10 gold medals.
By providing visually impaired athletes with an opportunity to compete at the highest level, ParaJudo demonstrates the unifying power of sports, transcending physical limitations and fostering inclusion.
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