Many of us don’t even know that there is such an athletic event such as the World Dwarf Games. Not only is there such an event, it is one where Indian athletes managed to shine and do us all proud! Here is all that you wanted to know about the World Dwarf Games and about Indians who won medals there.
This even is organised by The Dwarf Athletic Association of America (or DAAA) for "little people" or people with dwarfism to encourage those with dwarfism to participate in sport regardless of skill levels and to realize their potential.
Like the Olympics, these games are also held every four years since the first edition in 1993. This year the games were held in Canada.
Athletes participate in various events and represent their country. Events include Track & Field, Badminton, Basketball, Boccia, Football, Soccer, Swimming, Table Tennis, Weight Lifting, Volleyball, Shooting and Archery.
The highest medal tally was that of the United States of America with 293 medals in all. Great Britain bagged 201 and Canada won 105 medals.
Indian athletes bagged 14 gold medals, ten silver medals and 12 bronze medals; making it a total of 36 medals in all.
The little people of Canada, the Dwarf Sports Association UK, the Society for Short Stature Awareness, Short Statured People of Australia and various other organizations come together in the spirit of sporting competition to play and ultimately to win.
He is just 3 ft 5 inches in height with severely under developed legs and 60% disabilities. In spite of this, he has won medals at multiple international events in general, disabled and dwarf meets. He won five gold medals at the 2013 World Dwarf Games and this time around, he won two golds, three silvers and one bronze. He represented India in badminton, javelin, shot put and power lifting. He is an international arm wrestling champ, India's first wheel chaired fencer and a karate brown belt as well.
CV Rajanna from Bangalore won gold in 200 m race and Devappa More won the 100 m gold. Altogether they made all Indians proud!
Do you have something interesting you would like to share? Write to us at [email protected]
