Love and Medals: The Unhalkars' Journey to Paralympic Glory

Swaroop and Romy Unhalkar exemplify how love intertwines with sports to create extraordinary success. With shared passion and perseverance, they shine in shooting events, inspiring future generations and reshaping perceptions about para-athletics in India, while supporting each other through their parallel journeys toward international acclaim.

Love has a transformative power, especially evidenced by the stories of athletes Tara Davis and Hunter Woodhall, whose success in the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, respectively, became an inspirational saga. Echoing this sentiment is the heartwarming narrative of Swaroop and Romy Unhalkar, a power couple whose sportsmanship and mutual support have made significant impacts within para-athletics.

Meeting through mutual connections in Kolhapur, Pune, around 2021-2022, what started as a professional camaraderie blossomed into a meaningful partnership for the Unhalkars. Following their marriage, Romy embraced shooting, traveling with Swaroop to competitions and collecting accolades together. Swaroop, initially challenged by polio and limited resources, climbed the ranks to become Maharashtra's esteemed and celebrated shooter.

Swaroop's journey to success wasn't easy, commencing with a borrowed 10-year-old rifle from his coach. His breakthrough came when he started competing internationally, earning Maharashtra's prestigious Chhatrapati Award, changing public perception about para-athletics. Romy, inspired by Swaroop's perseverance, supports him staunchly, aspiring to parallel his achievements as they prepare for their first joint international tournament in Korea. Their message of chasing passions and transforming negative mindsets aims to inspire future athletes worldwide.

(With inputs from agencies.)