Through The Power Of Sports Changing Lives - Isha Outreach

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Rajni Jha
Gwalior, MADHYA PRADESH
Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke and the
Butterfly… when it comes to swimming, Rajni
Jha is a champion who has won Gold Medals in
all four categories at the prestigious 2009 International
Wheelchair and Amputee Sports World Games.
Rajni was afflicted by polio when she was two and
a half years old. When doctors put her right leg in
supportive steel crutches, friends and relatives had
advised Rajni’s poor parents to confine her to domestic
activities, but they stood by her dreams. Rajni’s
association with swimming found its pool of happiness
when she was put through aquatherapy sessions
at the Lakshmibai National University of Physical
Education in Gwalior to improve the coordination of
her nerves and muscles. What started at the age of
six as therapy and enjoyment went on to become a
passion. Adept in all four styles, 19-year old Rajni Jha
prefers the 100-metre and 50-metre events. She has
represented India at important meets across the world
and has also received the Eklavya Puraskar in the junior
category – the highest award of the State.
“Swimming has changed
my life. What started at
the age of six as therapy
and enjoyment went on to
become my passion…”
Rajni Jha