Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Parasports
  • Sporty Sikh Amarjeet Singh Chawla completes Mumbai-Pune run in style

Sporty Sikh Amarjeet Singh Chawla completes Mumbai-Pune run in style

Parasports June 3, 2019
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
0

Amarjeet Singh Chawla, the visually impaired marathoner famously known as Sporty Sikh, successfully completed his first long distance run from Mumbai to Pune on Sunday. Chawla’s run was to spread awareness about avoidable blindness and how to prevent it.

On Sunday Amarjeet Singh Chawla showed the world why he well deserves the moniker of the Sporty Sikh. With well over an hour to spare, the 63-year-old visually impaired marathoner reached the finishing line at Rabindranath Tagore School in Pune.

Chawla started running from the Goregaon Sports Complex on 31 May at 5.30 AM. A seasoned marathoner, he has run 174 races. The 160-km stretch from Mumbai to Pune was his first long distance run.

The distance was not the concern for me, more the heat. There were parts that were physically very arduous, especially while climbing the ghats. There is no tree cover on large parts of the cover which makes the impact of the sun’s rays even more severe. Given all that, I am very satisfied with the run especially since we made it well before time. – Amarjeet Singh Chawla, Visually impaired marathoner

What made the run an especially memorable trip was the number of people who joined in for moral support. Chawla set off from Mumbai with 72 people, most of whom dropped off in the middle but there were plenty who joined in for distances of 5-10 kms. “Until Panvel we had good company with many participants from the Pinkathon who joined in, says Chawla. “There were people who even joined us when we started early at 5.30 PM which was good.

The run is part of an annual event called No More Avoidable Blindness, an initiative of the National institute of Ophthalmology (NIO) Vision Marathon. Every year, runs are organised in Mumbai to spread awareness about the cause.

“This is the fourth year of our campaign, said Nikhil Shah from the Run Buddies Club, which organises the marathons. “I am happy, amazed and thrilled at the success of this year’s event. Despite the hot sun this man was running at super speed and others were struggling to keep up with him. So many people stopped us to ask about the case and what they should do to prevent avoidable blindness.

Chawla’s daughter Guneet Kaur Chawla, who accompanied her father throughout, was happy and relieved that the run ended smoothly. “I was concerned and quite worried because of the heat and the long distance. He has run many marathons before but there things are arranged This was a free run. I am glad he completed it successfully and so many people turned up in support.

At 63, Chawla shows no signs of calling it a day on the running track. Amazing given that he took to running rather late as a means to fighting the depression that overtook him after he lost his vision completely. What’s the secret to his phenomenal fitness and energy levels? “Pranayama, yoga and spot jogging, says Guneet. “He does not eat much but whatever he does eat is healthy like milk and nuts.

GET IN TOUCH: Want to run for the cause of avoidable blindness? Contact Nikhil Shah of Run Buddies Club at +91-8275203700.

Watch in Sign Language

0

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Education,Employment
    A STEPPING STONE TO COVETED CAREERS
  • Technology
    Automotive accessibility product Caruna helps people with disabilities move in & out of cars easily
  • Accessibility,Independent Living
    Affordable and Independent Mobility for Persons with Disabilities in India – Challenges & Way Forward (series 1 of 3)
  • Get-hooked
    “UK needs a National Disability Strategy, co-produced with disabled people” – Disability rights champion Kush Kanodia
  • Accessibility,Independent Living
    Affordable and Independent Mobility for Persons with Disabilities in India – Challenges & Way Forward (series 2 of 3)

Contribue to Newz Hook. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature your inspiring story or share an event with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

Image of a Caruna swivel seat on the passenger seat of a car

Technology

Automotive accessibility product Caruna helps people with disabilities move in & out of cars easily

Accessibility

Affordable and Independent Mobility for Persons with Disabilities in India – Challenges & Way Forward (series 1 of 3)

A LinkABILITY session in progress

Education

A STEPPING STONE TO COVETED CAREERS

Kush Kanodia carrying the torch at the 2020 London Paralympics

Get-hooked

“UK needs a National Disability Strategy, co-produced with disabled people” – Disability rights champion Kush Kanodia

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

#BeingMom - Behind swimming champ Ankita Anvikar's success story is mom Anjali

Parasports

“Never give up, live life to the fullest”- My Take by triple amputee & Trekker Sekhar Goud

Get-hooked

Cart With Heart aims to create self employment opportunities for people with disabilities across India

Accessibility

Toybank - Development through Play is enabling disabled kids to discover the power of play

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook is a media site focusing on Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight stories that share insights into the lives of people with disabilities, offer solutions and create collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who share knowledge about disability, inclusion & accessibility.

Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.