In the heart of Bahadurgarh, Haryana, a young boy named Yogesh Kathunia was born on March 3, 1997, into a family with big dreams. His parents envisioned him as a doctor, healing the sick and saving lives. But destiny had other plans. At just nine years old, Yogesh was struck by Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a debilitating neurological disorder that left his muscles weakened and his ability to stand shattered.
With unwavering support from his mother, Meena Devi, and rigorous physiotherapy, Yogesh clawed his way back, learning to walk with crutches. Far from deterring him, this trial ignited a passion for sports. In 2016, while at Kirori Mal College, student union secretary Sachin Yadav showed him videos of para-athletes, sparking a fire that led him into para-sports.
Yogesh’s breakthrough came in 2018 at the World Para Athletics European Championships in Berlin. In the F36 category, he hurled the discus 45.18 meters, shattering the world record and announcing his arrival on the global stage.
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics marked a pinnacle as he clinched silver in the discus throw F56 event, bringing glory to India. President Ram Nath Kovind honored him with the Arjuna Award in November 2021. But challenges persisted. In 2022, cervical radiculopathy—a spinal nerve condition—sidelined him for six months.
Undeterred, Yogesh returned stronger, securing another silver at the Paris 2024 Paralympics in the F56 discus throw. His journey continued with yet another silver at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships. Yogesh Kathunia’s story is a testament to resilience, transforming personal adversity into national pride.