We deserve same respect, says Navdeep Singh after turning taunts into triumph

Navdeep Singh, a para athlete, overcame taunts to win gold, demanding respect for those with unique bodies.

Navdeep Singh, who suffered from dwarfism, endured not just the usual rigours of training but cruel taunts from onlookers while growing up in his village in Haryana’s Panipat district.

On Saturday (September 7, 2024), having turned those taunts into his biggest triumph on sport’s grandest stage, the four feet four inches tall para athlete expressed his concerns with the indignities visited upon people whose bodies don’t fit the usual moulds, and demanded “same respect” for them.

The 23-year-old Indian javelin thrower won an unparalleled gold in the F41 classification at the Paris Paralympic Games.

“Humein bhi utna darja milna chahiye, maine bhi desh ka naam roshan kiya hai [We deserve the same respect, I too have brought glory to the country],” Navdeep Singh said, flashing his gold medal in a video shared by the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI).

“My aim is to educate society that we also exist in this world and nobody should make fun of us, which is often the case. We also can make our country proud.

“There were a lot of hurdles initially but I kept at it and strengthened myself, which led to good results. This is the biggest moment of my life, I feel proud to sign off with a gold medal,” he added.

As the track and field competitions concluded at the Paris Games, Navdeep Singh’s golden throw in the final ensured the hallowed Stade de France echoed with the Indian national anthem.