Indian Paralympics athlete, Deepa Malik, has created a history as she became the first Indian woman to win a medal at Paralympics after she scored Silver medal in F-53 Shotput event on Monday.

Deepa Malik’s throw of 4.61m was the best in her six attempts. She has confirmed India’s third medal at Rio Paralympics.

Her opponents Fatema Nedham of Bahrain won Gold medal with the best throw of 4.76m and Dimitra Korokida of Greece bagged the bronze medal with the throw of 4.28m.

Deepa Malik, who is a mother of two and a wife of a Army officer, is a paraplegic, paralyzed from waist down. 17 years ago, she was suffering from the spinal tumor which made walking impossible for her. Her spinal tumor was operated with 31 surgeries and Deepa had to undergo 183 stitches on her waist and legs.

Deepa has participated in javelin throw, swimming in Paralympics. She has won several medals in swimming at international competitions. Deepa Malik, who holds Asian record in javeline throw, also has world championship silver medals in shotput and discus in 2011.

This is India’s third medal in Rio Paralympics after Mariyappan Thangavelu and Varun Singh Bhati won Gold and Bronze respectively in Men’s High Jump event.

By Prajakt K.