Sonalben Patel of Gujarat once dreamed of being a teacher, but society라이브 바카라 narrow view of inclusivity forced her to rethink her future. The world around her believed dreams had limits, especially for someone in a wheelchair. (More Sports News)
She remembers every word of that rejection, etched into her heart. "How will you manage children in a wheelchair?" the director had asked, seeing only her limitations. But what he failed to see was that teaching isn’t just about standing in a classroom, it라이브 바카라 about inspiring, leading, proving what라이브 바카라 possible.
And Sonalben taught in a way no one expected.
If she couldn’t teach from a blackboard, she taught from the table instead, with a paddle in hand and a story written not in chalk, but in every stroke she played. A story of struggle, love and the sport that became her greatest teacher.
Sixteen years ago, at a para table tennis event, she found more than just a sport; she found her passion, her purpose, and the man who would become her greatest support.
Table tennis didn’t just shape her journey; it gave her everything she needed for a lasting sports career, love, strength, and a lifelong partner who shares her dreams. Now, that love stands beside her, not just as her biggest cheerleader but also as her mixed doubles partner, proving that the game changed everything.
Today, Sonalben stands as India라이브 바카라 No. 1 para table tennis player in Class 3, turning setbacks into comebacks. With Los Angeles 2028 in her sights, she라이브 바카라 ready to pick up the pieces from Tokyo and Paris, because the game is far from over, and a medal is calling.
Sonalben Patel, Ramesh Chaudhary: A Love Story Built On Table Tennis
Sonalben sports a tattoo of a table tennis paddle on her bicep, a symbol of the sport that shaped her life and the love that grew alongside it. Her husband, Ramesh, has the same tattoo, a mark of their shared passion and journey together, both on and off the table.
They met at the very start of Sonalben라이브 바카라 career, drawn together by a dream they both refused to let go of. Friendship turned into a bond built on sacrifice. Long before they were married, Ramesh put his own career on hold to support Sonalben라이브 바카라. At a time when funding was scarce and tournaments were self-financed, he stepped in, determined to see her succeed.
As Sonalben라이브 바카라 career took off, she urged Ramesh to refocus on his own goals. Now, they stand together as India라이브 바카라 top mixed doubles para table tennis pair, competing, winning, and chasing a berth at the LA 2028 Paralympics. From the sacrifices of the past to the victories ahead, their love story is written at the table, one match at a time.
When asked about the tattoo, Sonalben said, "My husband and I got this together. It represents the sport that brought us together and our shared love for it. This is what we do, this is what we love, and we motivate each other."
Praising her husband and his contributions, she added, "This man has done a lot for me. He has supported me from the very beginning, and wherever I am today, it is because of him."
Sharing her plans for LA 2028, she said, "We are preparing for both singles and mixed doubles. We are giving it our best, and we are confident we will achieve it."
Reflecting on how she got into table tennis, Sonalben said, "I just wanted to be a teacher, but we didn’t have the resources. I was rejected because they thought hiring me would be a liability, how would I manage a class, etc.? I wasn’t angry at them; I understood where they were coming from. But I still wanted to do something. And then table tennis came, unannounced, and now I have everything because of this sport."
Talking about the financial struggles she and her husband faced, Sonalben said, "Money is a very important part of any sport. We have to play ranking tournaments to earn a berth, and it was hard. He supported me, putting his own career on hold. Things are better now, but when I look back, I feel it would have been easier if we had received support from the start, not just after I secured a Paralympic berth."
The 37-year-old Sonalben was diagnosed with polio when she was six months old. This affected both her legs and right hand and left her with 90% disability. Despite this, she fought her way to a bronze medal at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, and defended her gold at the Khelo India Para Games as well. She had beaten Vidya in the inaugural edition of KIPG in December 2023.
Talking about opportunities at Khelo India Para Games, Sonalben said, “It라이브 바카라 a great platform to compete and gain tournament experience, but without financial support, its impact could be limited. State governments need to step up with monetary rewards to keep players motivated.”
She added: “Infrastructure also needs major improvement because we feel disabled not by our bodies, but by spaces that aren’t designed for us. Too often, people look at us with sympathy, making us feel lesser, but we are not. Given an accessible and inclusive environment, we will prove that we are equal.”
