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Murlikant Petkar

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Murlikant Rajaram Petkar
Petkar in 2019
Personal information
NicknameChandu Champion
NationalityIndian
Born1 November 1944 (1944-11) (age 80)[1]
Sangli, Maharashtra
Military career
Allegiance India
Service / branch Indian Army
RankCraftsman
Unit EME
Awards Padma Shri
Sport
CountryIndia
SportSwimming, javelin, slalom, table tennis, shot put, Boxing
DisabilityYes
Medal record
Freestyle swimming
Representing  India
Paralympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1972 Heidelberg 50 m freestyle swimming

Murlikant Petkar (born 1 November 1944) 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.[contradictory] He was a finalist in all three events.[2] In 2018, he was awarded with the Padma Shri.[3]

Biography

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Petkar was born in Peth Islampur region of Sangli, Maharashtra.[4] Growing up, Petkar had a deep passion for sports, particularly boxing, a sport that demands not just physical strength but also mental fortitude. His talent in the ring quickly became evident, and it wasn’t long before the Indian Army took notice.[5] He was private or jawan of the craftsman rank in the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) in the Indian Army.[6] He was disabled during the 1965 war against Pakistan, sustaining severe bullet wounds. He faced 9 bullets, 8 of which were removed, but one had lodged deeply in his spine, disabling him from under the waist. He was admitted to INHS Asvini (an Indian Navy Hospital) in Bombay. Before his disability,[7] Petkar was originally a boxer at EME, Secunderabad. After he got disabled, he switched to swimming and other sports.[8] 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. On the 20th March 2018, Murlikant was awarded the Padma Shri Award for his sports achievement. [9]

In media

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Biographical film

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Main article: Chandu Champion

Chandu Champion is a Hindi-language sports drama film based on the life of Murlikant Petkar, directed by Kabir Khan and enacted by Kartik Aaryan.[10][11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Padmashri Muralikant Petkar – India's First Paralympic Gold Medalist". Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Athlete Search Results". Athletes at the Paralympics. IPC. Archived from the original on 31 August 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  3. ^ "Padma awards 2018 announced, MS Dhoni, Sharda Sinha among 85 recipients: Here's complete list". India TV. 25 January 2018. Archived from the original on 26 January 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
  4. ^ "Life Journey – Padmashri Muralikant Petkar". Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  5. ^ "Murlikant Petkar: From War Hero to India's First Paralympic Champion". Cross Barriers. 12 August 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Sainik Samachar: The Pictorial Weekly of the Armed Forces". Director of Public Relations, Ministry of Defence. 22 May 1981. Archived from the original on 9 August 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2016 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ "Sainik Samachar: The Pictorial Weekly of the Armed Forces". Director of Public Relations, Ministry of Defence. 22 May 1981. Archived from the original on 9 August 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2016 – via Google Books.
  8. ^ "TOI e-paper article".
  9. ^ "Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation in Asia". 22 May 1973. Archived from the original on 9 August 2024. Retrieved 22 September 2016 – via Google Books.
  10. ^ "Kartik Aaryan shares the first pic from the sets of Chandu Champion with Kabir Khan". filmfare.com. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Chandu Champion first look: Kartik Aaryan looks sharp as he turns 'Real Hero'". The Times of India. 1 August 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
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