Ministry of Defence
Indian Army Para Athlete qualifies for Tokyo Paralympics 2020
Posted On:
28 JUL 2021 5:18PM by PIB Mumbai
Pune: 28 July 2021
Havildar Soman Rana, a para athlete of the Army Paralympic Node, BEG & Centre, Kirkee (under the aegis of Army Sports Control Board) has been selected for the Tokyo Paralympics 2020 in seated shot put, F 57 category. SomanRana is an international para athlete and stands second in world rankings in his category.
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The 38 years old athlete hails from Shillong and comes from a humble family background. On 01 December 2006, while serving with his unit in field area, he suffered a mine blast injury and lost his right leg. Losing a leg would end the sports journey for most, but SomanRana fought his fears and kept himself motivated and determined.
SomanRana was inducted into the Army Paralympic Node in 2017. This node provides a platform to all the serving impaired soldiers to pursue para sports and develop a positive perspective in life. Since its raising in 2017, paraathletes of the node have won 28 international medals and 60 National medals. They represented and won medals for India in Asian Para Games, World Military Games, World Para Championship and World Grand Prix events.
![](https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/WhatsAppImage2021-07-28at5.07.13PMIVYS.jpeg)
In this year, SomanRanaamid all the restrictions won gold medal in Tunis World Para Athletics Grand Prix and two gold medals & one silver in XIX National Athletics Para Championship. SomanRanahas done our country proud and is an inspiration for all the para athletes in the Indian Army. He is one of the strong medal prospects to win a medal in Tokyo Paralympics 2020.
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