Chandeep Singh Sudan was an 11-year-old when he suffered a life-threatening electric shock measuring approximately 11,000 volts.
Surviving the high-voltage shock was in itself a miracle, but the damage it did to his body was devastating. Chandeep suffered fourth-degree burns, and the subsequent infection forced the doctors to amputate both his arms.
What made the entire situation particularly hard was that Chandeep was on course for sporting success in football, athletics and even skating.
When all hope seemed lost, the boy from Jammu decided to fight back. With extraordinary perseverance and inhuman zeal, he turned his life around, starting with skating.
He says “The first sport I chose after the incident was skating. From 2012 to 2016, I participated in every tournament I could. I was the only para-skater from India for a while, and I was drawn to skating specifically because it is difficult. Hands and arms play a vital role in balancing and gaining speed, but I wanted the challenge.
“In 2017, the Golden Book for World Records recorded me as the fastest para-skater in the 100m category, but, I wanted to compete so I began training in Taekwondo.
“Milka Singh was my first official sponsor for my tournaments. He was also my mentor. He was the one who arranged everything with the paralympic association of India”
Today, he is a national level skater, and holds the world record for fastest 100-meters para skating (13.95s). He has also been selected as one of the ‘Six Heroes of India’ by India Today and been felicitated with the “Pehal Youth Proud Award” on Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s Birthday, among other achievements
Now He also stands with multiple international medals, including two silver at World Para Taekwondo Championships, four gold at ranking tournaments, and one bronze.
Finally he inspires millions by saying “I hope that people can see all I am doing and realize that if I can do it, they can too”
References:
https://www.wearesikhs.org/meet_chandeep
