{"id":841593,"date":"2024-09-06T12:59:39","date_gmt":"2024-09-06T07:29:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leverageedu.com\/discover\/?p=841593"},"modified":"2024-09-06T12:59:39","modified_gmt":"2024-09-06T07:29:39","slug":"famous-personalities-paralympics-winner-murlikant-petkar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/leverageedu.com\/discover\/general-knowledge\/famous-personalities-paralympics-winner-murlikant-petkar\/","title":{"rendered":"Who is Paralympics Winner Murlikant Petkar?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When one talks about the Paralympics, who can forget the Paralympic winner Murlikant Petkar? The name itself speaks volumes like other famous personalities who are physically challenged<\/strong> yet have achieved greater heights and broken several records. His journey from a soldier to a swimmer shows the power of perseverance and determination. In 1972, he made history at the Paralympic Games in Heidelberg, Germany by winning a gold medal in the 50-meter freestyle swimming competition, setting a world record time of 37.33 seconds. Let us learn more about this legendary champion in the blog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Overview: Paralympics Winner Murlikant Petkar<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Full Name<\/td>Murlikant Rajaram Petkar<\/td><\/tr>
Date of Birth<\/td>November 1, 1944<\/td><\/tr>
Place of Birth<\/td>Peth Islampur, Sangli, Maharashtra<\/td><\/tr>
Paralympic Gold Medal<\/td>1972, Heidelberg, Germany<\/td><\/tr>
Event<\/td>50m Freestyle Swimming, Paralympic Games<\/td><\/tr>
World Record Time<\/td>37.33 seconds<\/td><\/tr>
Military Service<\/td>Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME), Indian Army<\/td><\/tr>
Awards<\/td>Padma Shri (2018)<\/td><\/tr>
Achievements<\/td>1970 Commonwealth Paraplegic Games Gold Medal<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Who
Image Source:<\/strong> Local Samosa<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Who is Paralympics Winner Murlikant Petkar?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Murlikant Rajaram Petkar was born on November 1st 1944 in Peth Islampur, Sangli, Maharashtra in the pre-independent India. From a young age, he was inclined towards sports, and wrestling and played hockey during his school years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He remembers the star Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, who won in the Olympics in 1952, when Petkar was just 8 years old. Petkar narrated to Forbes how he was inspired by just getting a glimpse of Jadhav sitting on his brother\u2019s shoulder, and he decided that he would also one day win a medal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Paralympics
Image Source: Lokmat<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Petkar recalls the unbelievable victory celebration, he walked 20 km from his village to see Jadhav. \u201cThere was tremendous energy and enthusiasm among the people gathered there. Taken in by the response to his win and the fervour among people, I decided there and then that I will also win a medal for my country,\u201d <\/em><\/strong>Petkar narrates to Forbes India in an interview. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A turning event in his life came when he defeated the village head\u2019s son in wrestling. Because of the wrath of the villagers, he had to flee to Pune. There, he joined the Boys Battalion of the Indian Army, where his sports journey truly began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also Read: Who was Muhammad Ghori?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tragic incident during the Indo-Pak War of 1965<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Murlikant Petkar was appointed as an Indian Army jawan in the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME). Petkar also got an opportunity to represent the Indian Army in the sport of Boxing at the International Services Sports Meet in Tokya in 1964. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Tragic
Image Source: murlikantpetkar.com<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In 1965, during the Indo-Pak War, Murlikant Petkar was stationed in the Sialkot sector. Unfortunately, he suffered severe injuries during an aerial attack and was subsequently run over by an army vehicle. This incident led to memory loss, and a bullet was lodged in his spine forever. Despite these challenges, his spirit remained unbroken. He regained memory and mobility after two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore: <\/strong>MC Mary Kom, the Queen of Boxing & Her Achievements<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participation of Murlikant Petkar in Paralympics <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Murlikant Petkar\u2019s journey to the Paralympics began when in 1968, he participated in table tennis at the Summer Paralympics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n