CU student makes it to Tokyo Paralympics

Mohali, June 26

Aruna Tanwar, a BPEd student at Chandigarh University, Gharuan, was honoured for her selection to Tokyo Paralympics-2021 on Friday.

I started learning taekwondo at the age of eight and for next eight years, I competed in the ‘normal’ category. It was during 2017 when I was declared ineligible to compete at the international level due to deformity in my both hands following which I shifted to para taekwondo. –  Aruna Tanwar

Aruna, who hails from Dinod village near Bhiwani, is ranked number 4 in the world in the women’s under-49 taekwondo category and has won a bronze medal at both Asian Para-Taekwondo Championship and World Para-Taekwondo Championship in 2019. Aruna’s father Naresh Tanwar and her coach Ashok Kumar were present on the occasion.

Taekwondo is making its Paralympic debut this year. Aruna is one of the 72 taekwondo players from 37 nations competing in the Paralympics.

“I was frustrated on missing World and Asian qualifiers in Jordan due to travel ban in the wake of pandemic in April 2021. I found it miraculous on getting a wild card entry to the Tokyo Paralympics in view of my performances at Asian and World Taekwondo championships,” the 21-year-old added.

Aruna’s father Naresh Tanwar said, “I work as a driver at a chemical factory. It was initially difficult for me to support my daughter. But due to her willpower and eagerness to play the sport, I decided to take loans apart from spending my savings to support her in realising her dream.”

Ashok Kumar, Aruna’s trainer and coach of the Indian camp for para-athletes, said, “In Tokyo, Aruna will face challenge from Ukraine, China and Chinese Taipei players and I am confident that she will win a medal.”— TNS