Murlikant Petkar

Murlikant Petkar is India's first Paralympic gold medalist. He won an individual gold medal in the 1972 Summer Paralympics, in Heidelberg, Germany. He set a world record in the 50 m freestyle swimming event, at 37.33 seconds. In the same games he participated in javelin, precision javelin throw and slalom. He was a finalist in all three events.[1] In 2018, he was awarded with the Padma Shri.[2]

Murlikant Petkar
Personal information
NationalityIndian
Sport
SportSwimming, javelin, slalom, table tennis, shot put
DisabilityYes
Medal record
Freestyle swimming
Representing  India
Paralympic Games
1972 Heidelberg 50 m freestyle swimming

Biography

He was private or jawan of the craftsman rank in the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) in the Indian Army.[3] He was disabled during the 1965 war against Pakistan, sustaining severe bullet wounds.[4] Petkar was originally a boxer at EME, Secunderabad. After he was crippled he switched to swimming and other sports.[5] He participated in table tennis at the 1968 Summer Paralympics and cleared the first round. He won four medals in swimming. He was later employed by TELCO in Pune.[6]

See also

References
  1. "Athlete Search Results". Athletes at the Paralympics. IPC. Archived from the original on 31 August 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  2. "Padma awards 2018 announced, MS Dhoni, Sharda Sinha among 85 recipients: Here's complete list". India TV. 25 January 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  3. Sainik Samachar, Vol. 28
  4. Sainik Samachar
  5. TOI e-paper article
  6. The Journal of Rehabilitation in Asia


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