Tarun Dhillon sets eyes on the 2028 Paralympics

Three-time world champion para-shuttler Tarun Dhillon has set his sights on a podium finish at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

The 30-year-old from Haryana, who has achieved a remarkable career so far, has won everything but a Paralympics medal.

He plans to train at the prestigious Prakash Padukone Academy in Bengaluru to refine his skills in pursuit of his Paralympic dream.

"Need to learn tricks of the trade"

Dhillon, who has clinched men's SL4 singles gold at the 2013, 2015, and 2019 World Championships, as well as a gold medal in men's doubles at the 2022 Asian Para Games, hopes that this next phase of training will be crucial to his success.

SL4 classification is for athletes with low-level impairment on one side of the body or minor limb absence.

"I need to learn some more tricks of the trade and for that, I want to train at Prakash Padukone Academy starting this season. I will have to write to the sports ministry for that," Dhillon told PTI at an event hosted by the Australian High Commission.

Dhillon is part of the Government of India’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).

Reflecting on his previous Paralympic experience, Dhillon shared, "Paris was my second Paralympics, and I went there with confidence. But I failed to reach the semifinals after losing to a French player who eventually won the gold. The Paralympic medal is the only one missing from my cabinet, and I have to win it at the 2028 LA Games."

"Cricket, first love"

Dhillon, originally a cricket enthusiast was forced to turn to badminton after a life-changing accident at the age of nine, which caused permanent damage to his right knee.

Despite undergoing two surgeries, his condition worsened, making it clear that competing in mainstream sports would no longer be an option.

“After the accident, I knew I would not be able to compete among able-bodied athletes. But sports were my passion, and I couldn’t live without it. So, I chose badminton, and won my first international title in my debut tournament,” Dhillon recalled.

Dhillon also spoke fondly of his early connection to cricket, noting, "Cricket was my first love as a child. My dream was to play for India, but fate had other plans. It's God's will that I’m now winning laurels for my country in badminton."

In the same event, bronze medalist Nidhi Mishra, a visually impaired athlete from the 2018 Asian Para Games, also spoke about the progress in para sports.

Nidhi, who competes in the F12-13 classification, emphasized the need for greater support for women in sports.

“A lot has changed in para sports over the last decade, but there is room for improvement. We need stricter laws and better implementation to ensure that women, in general, have safe and secure spaces, both for training and competition,” she said.