K. Y. Venkatesh is an Indian para-athlete and shot putter from Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.[1][2][3] He won his first gold for India in the shot put in 1999 in Australia. In 1994, he represented India at the 1st International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships in Berlin, Germany. He was awarded India's fourth highest civilian award the Padma Shri in 2021.[4][5]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Born | Bengaluru, India |
| Occupation | Para-athlete |
| Height | 127 cm (4 ft 2 in) |
| Sport | |
| Country |  India |
| Disability | Yes |
Venkatesh also holds a Limca Book of Records.[6] He made a world record when he secured six medals in various sports at the fourth World Dwarf Games in 2005.[citation needed]
K. Y. Venkatesh won a silver medal for Badminton at the LG World Cup 2002 and 3 gold and 2 silver medals in shot put, discus throw and javelin throw at the Open Track and Field Championship 2004. He also won one gold medal, two silver medals and one bronze medal at the 2004 Swedish Open Track & Field Championship.[citation needed]
He bagged a gold medal in the hockey event, silver medals in football and basketball events and a bronze medal in the badminton event at the 2006 European Open Championships. He has also served as the Secretary of the Karnataka Para-Badminton Association for the Disabled.[7] Venkatesh is suffering from Achondroplasia and his height is 4 ft 2 inch.[citation needed]
Achievements
edit- Won a bronze medal at the 2012 Spanish Para-Badminton Tournament
- Won a gold medal in the discus throw and bronze medals in the javelin throw, badminton singles and doubles events of the 2009 World Dwarf Games
- Won bronze and gold medals at the badminton singles and doubles events of the 2008 Asian Paralympic Cup
- Won a gold medal in the hockey event, silver medals in football and basketball events and a bronze medal in the badminton event of the 2006 European Open Championships
- Won a gold medal in the discus throw and bronze medal in shot put, volleyball and badminton events of the 2005 Dwarf Olympics
- Won a silver medal at the 2004 Israel Open Badminton Championship
- Won 3 gold and 2 silver medals in shot put, discus throw and javelin throw at the 2004 Open Track and Field Championship
- Won a gold medal, 2 silver medals and a bronze medal at the 2004 Swedish Open Track & Field Championship
- Won a silver medal for India in the badminton event of the 2002 LG World Cup
- Won a gold medal in the shot put event at the 1999 Southern Cross Multi Disability Championship
- He is also the recipient of the Ekalavya and Karnataka Rajyotsava awards.
Awards and recognition
editOn 26 January 2021, the Government of India conferred him India's fourth-highest civilian award the Padma Shri.[4]
References
edit- ^ Singh, Tanaya (26 February 2016). "A Man with Dwarfism Heard about a Woman with Polio Crossing the English Channel. Then He Did This". The Better India.
- ^ Dutta, Sudeshna (23 January 2021). "Malleswaram Mirror Special: An extraordinary life". Bangalore Mirror. The Times of India.
- ^ Chatterjee, Soumya (15 October 2017). "Make Bengaluru disabled friendly: A para-athlete's passionate plea at city's Beku Beda Santhe". The News Minute.
- ^ a b Poovanna, Sharan (26 January 2021). "Athlete gets Padma award for showing the way, promoting para-sports". Hindustan Times.
- ^ "Padma Shri for para warrior Venkatesh". The Times of India. 27 January 2021.
- ^ "World Dwarf Games". coca-colaindia.com. 2017.
- ^ Chatterjee, Sayan (26 January 2021). "Para-athlete and Limca Record holder K.Y. Venkatesh awarded Padma Shri". The Bridge.