'I treat defeat as a learning experience; I face challenges without fear'

Preethi Pal was never invited to play sport at school. Growing up with cerebral palsy in a village in western Uttar Pradesh, she wasn't given any opportunity to shine.

Moving to train at the Kailash Prakesh stadium in Meerut changed her life. Under coach Gajendra Singh, Preethi won two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Paralympics Games, and a silver and bronze medal at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi.

She has now been awarded the Para-sport award at the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year awards.