Jeevanji Deepthi and Banothu Akira Nandan Shine at Asian Para Games

Born with intellectual disabilities, athletes Jeevanji Deepthi and Banothu Akira Nandan have overcome social stigma, personal challenges and financial difficulties to achieve success on the international stage. Deepthi, who hails from Kalleda village in Warangal, Telangana, has established herself as a formidable para-athlete. After winning a bronze medal at the 2024 Paralympics, she continued her impressive run by clinching gold at the Asian Para Games. She also set a new Games record, further strengthening her reputation as one of India’s outstanding athletes in the women’s T20 category. Her achievements include a gold medal at the 2024 World Championships and a silver medal in 2025. Despite facing discrimination during her early years, Deepthi received unwavering support from her parents. The Lakshya initiative has also helped her pursue her sporting ambitions and compete at the highest level.

Banothu Akira Nandan, a 19-year-old para-athlete from Jangalapalli Thanda in Warangal, Telangana, has also made the country proud by winning silver in the men’s 400m T35 event at the Asian Para Games. Coming from a modest family, with his father working as a bus conductor and his mother as a homemaker, Akira has worked hard to establish himself in competitive athletics. He has consistently performed well at national and international events, winning gold medals at the 2025 Grand Prix, Indian Open Para Athletics, National Para Athletics Championships, World Para Athletics events and Youth Asian Para Games, according to the report. His latest achievement reflects his determination to build on his success and win more medals in the future.