New Delhi
Gyan Prakash Sharma, a para-athlete from Bihar, has excelled in multiple sports, including wheelchair cricket and arm wrestling. However, his true passion lies in badminton, where he aims to make a mark at the Khelo India Para Games 2025.
Born with paralysis in both legs, Gyan initially played wheelchair cricket for Uttar Pradesh. He later ventured into arm wrestling, winning a bronze medal in the 57kg category at the All India Open Arm Wrestling Championships in Indore. His journey in badminton began in 2023 during the Para National Championship in Lucknow, where he was inspired by the players and officials he met while working in event hospitality.
Gyan, who plays in the SL4 category, holds an MBA in HR from Dr. Shakuntala Mishra National Rehab University, Lucknow. He practices badminton on campus and is the only wheelchair badminton player from Bihar competing in the Khelo India Para Games. He became the Bihar state champion in 2024 and reached the pre-quarterfinals of the Senior National Para Championship in Jamshedpur, earning a spot at Khelo India.
Despite financial struggles, Gyan continues to pursue his sporting dreams. He traveled to Delhi using a borrowed wheelchair and is also seeking a job as an assistant professor to support his family.
Praising the event, he lauded the accessibility, hospitality, and arrangements at the Games. Gyan sees this tournament as a major milestone in his badminton journey and hopes to make a lasting impact in the sport.
