Prachi Yadav secures India’s 1st quota for Paris Paralympic

Bhopal: Ace para-canoer Prachi Yadav from MP’s Bhind has qualified for Paris Paralympic after securing the fourth position in the ongoing ICF Sprint and Para Canoe World Championship, taking place in in Duisburg, Germany on Friday. She has become first Indian athlete to secure a quota for the Paris Paralympics.Prachi secured the fourth position with a timing of 01:02.190 in the VL2 W 200 category. Speaking to TOI, Prachi expressed her confidence in securing the Olympic quota. “I obtained the quota for Tokyo Olympics as the last contender and I've achieved it again. I will give my utmost to secure an Olympic medal in Paris,” she said. Congratulating Prachi, Sports minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia said, “She has proven that MP has an abundance of talent. The only requirement is to provide them with proper support, which our academy has offered to her.”President, Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association (IKCA), Prashant Kushwah who went Uzbekistan to motivate players said that MP has become an important state in water sports. “Winning Olympic quota is an example of right coaching and sheer dedication. Prachi is our star player,” said Kushwah. Prachi’s journey had an arduous beginning. Five years ago, her coach Mayank Thakur constructed an improvised boat known as a "jugaad" boat for her. When she commenced training in 2018, awareness regarding para players in kayaking and canoeing was minimal.