Murlikant Rajaram Petkar, India's first gold medallist in the Paralympic Games, expressed his immense joy upon being recommended for the prestigious Arjuna Award in the Lifetime category.
The 80-year-old athlete, whose remarkable achievement at the 1972 Paralympic Games went largely unnoticed for decades, now feels a significant chapter of his life has come full circle.
Petkar won gold in the men’s 50m freestyle swimming event at the Paralympic Games in Heidelberg, Germany. His record-breaking performance marked India’s first individual gold in either the Olympics or Paralympics.
However, during those times, para-sports did not receive the recognition they deserved, leaving Petkar’s extraordinary feat uncelebrated for decades.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports officially nominated Petkar for the Arjuna Award in the Lifetime category. This honour comes 52 years after his historic win.
Despite the delay, Petkar chose to focus on the present, expressing his gratitude for the recognition and cherishing the fulfilment of his long-standing wish.
Speaking from Pune, where he lives a peaceful retired life with his son Arjun, Petkar said he was overjoyed to finally receive this honour.
He thanked the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for recognising his achievements. Petkar had previously been awarded the Padma Shri in 2018, making this his second major national honour from the current government.
Reflecting on the journey, Petkar expressed no bitterness over the past neglect. He emphasised the joy of finally being recognised, attributing it to divine timing.
Both Petkar and his son Arjun extended their gratitude to the Indian Army, the Sports Authority of India, the Maharashtra government, and everyone who supported them over the years.
Petkar also praised the impact of filmmaker Kabir Khan’s biopic Chandu Champion, which brought his inspiring life story into the public eye. The film, focusing on his journey, highlighted the challenges and triumphs of a para-athlete, ensuring that his legacy reaches a wider audience.
The legendary swimmer expressed his happiness over the growing recognition of para-sportspersons in India. He noted the achievements of athletes like Praveen Kumar, who recently won the Khel Ratna after claiming gold in high jump at the 2024 Paralympic Games.
The government’s focus on para-athletes was evident, with 17 of the 32 shortlisted names for this year’s Arjuna Award being para-sportspersons.
Looking to the future, Petkar shared his dream of India excelling in upcoming Paralympic Games. He expressed hope that India could secure 50 medals at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, surpassing the country’s recent tally of 29 medals at the Paris Paralympics.
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