Jyoti Baliyan
jyoti baliyan
Jyoti Baliyan is a distinguished Indian para-archer from Goela village in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh. Born on April 15, 1994, she has overcome significant challenges to become a leading figure in the sport.
Early Life and Challenges
At the age of 10, a medical mishap—a wrong injection administered during a viral fever—resulted in polio, affecting her leg and ending her aspirations of becoming a volleyball player. Determined to pursue sports, she took up archery in 2009, training under coach Kuldeep Vedwan at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Sports Complex in Katra, Jammu. Her breakthrough came when she clinched the gold medal at the National Championships in Odisha, defeating able-bodied competitors .(indus-ind)
Rise in Archery
Over the years, Jyoti has achieved remarkable success in para-archery:
2017: Silver medal at a tournament in Beijing, China.
2019: Gold medal at the World Championships in Tamil Nadu.
2019: Silver medal in the mixed team event at the Dubai Para Archery Championship, partnering with Shyam Sundar Swami.
2022: Team bronze at the World Archery Para Championships in Pilsen.
2022: Team bronze at the Nove Mesto Para Archery European Cup (1st Leg).
2022: Participation in the Hangzhou Asian Para Games.(indus-ind)
Her consistent performance led to her selection for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, where she competed in both the Women’s Compound Individual Open and the Compound Mixed Team Open events .(indus-ind)
Tokyo 2020 Paralympics
At the Tokyo Paralympics, Jyoti finished 15th in the women’s individual compound open ranking round with a score of 671 points. In the mixed team event, she partnered with Rakesh Kumar, but the duo was eliminated in the quarterfinals .(The Times of India, Greater Kashmir)
Awards and Recognition
In recognition of her exceptional contributions to sports, Jyoti was honored with the prestigious Rani Lakshmi Bai Award. This award acknowledges outstanding sportswomen who have made significant contributions to sports and women’s empowerment .(Wikipedia)
Current Role
Jyoti serves as an archery coach at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra, where she imparts her expertise to the next generation of archers.
Personal Story
Coming from a modest farming background, Jyoti’s journey has been marked by resilience and determination. Her father, a marginal farmer, took a loan to purchase an archery kit for her, believing in her potential. Tragically, he passed away in an accident before witnessing her rise in the sport. Despite financial constraints, Jyoti’s unwavering commitment and the support of her community have propelled her to national and international acclaim .(The Times of India)
Jyoti Baliyan’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the transformative impact of sports. Her achievements continue to inspire countless individuals, especially women and those with disabilities, to pursue their dreams relentlessly.
