The Shooting Star of Varanasi: Sumedha Pathak's Rise to Fame!
Sumedha Pathak's life was once filled with the promise of a bright future. Born to pharmaceutical entrepreneur Brijesh Chandra Pathak, Sumedha was a keen student and always showed a keen interest in her studies. However, her life took a dramatic turn in 2013 when she was diagnosed with Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis, resulting in spinal paralysis. The diagnosis was a shock to the family, and Sumedha's world was turned upside down.Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a concern because it's harder to treat, requiring longer treatment periods and more complex medications that can have more side effects. If not treated properly, MDR-TB can also spread to others, making it a significant public health concern. This complexity and potential for transmission make MDR-TB a challenging and critical issue to address.The Road to RecoveryThe Pathak family spent months in hospitals in Delhi and Kolkata, fighting for Sumedha's recovery. Despite the challenges, Sumedha's family remained steadfast in their support, ensuring that she remained focused on her goals. After more than a year in recovery, Sumedha returned home, determined to excel in whatever way she could. Her father, Brijesh Chandra Pathak, played a crucial role in her recovery, encouraging her to believe in herself and her abilities.Discovering a New PassionIn 2018, Sumedha's father, along with consultation with international shooters Asif and Ajit Singh Suryavanshi and coach Santosh Tiwari, got a makeshift shooting range built at their home. Sumedha started with pistol shooting, and despite the initial challenges, she quickly developed a passion for the sport. With the help of her coaches, Sumedha worked tirelessly to build her upper body strength and improve her posture, enabling her to shoot with precision and accuracy. Sumedha's hard work paid off when she made the Indian Para shooting team in 2022. She was part of the Indian pistol team that won the silver medal in the WSPS World Cup in France and Korea respectively. In 2023, Sumedha finished seventh in women's P2 10m air pistol SH1 in the Hangzhou Asian Para Games. Her determination and perseverance had finally started to bear fruit.The Moment of TriumphSumedha qualified at the second spot with a score of 565 in the WSPS World Cup in Changwon, Korea. In the final, she was placed third after the second series before she made her way to the gold medal elimination round. With a score of 235.2, Sumedha edged out another Indian, Shrishti Arora, to win her first WSPS World Cup individual gold. As she stood on the podium, listening to the national anthem, Sumedha was overwhelmed with emotion, knowing that her hard work and dedication had finally paid off.Inspiration and MotivationFor Sumedha, her compatriot and Paris Paralympics bronze medallist Rubina Francis is an inspiration. "Rubina mam has always been an inspiration for me and other shooters," Sumedha said. Francis's presence at the shooting range motivates Sumedha and pushes her to perform better. With this win, Sumedha has proven that she is a force to be reckoned with in the world of para shooting. Sumedha's win is not just a personal triumph but also a proof to the power of determination and hard work. Her story is an inspiration to millions of people around the world, showing that with the right mindset and support, anything is possible. As Sumedha looks to the future, she knows that this win is just the beginning of her journey. With her sights set on the Paralympics and other major competitions, Sumedha is ready to take on the world.
