Vijaya is the youngest player to win medals – silver in singles and bronze in doubles – at the UTT Para Table Tennis National Championships in Indore in March this year.
Vijaya means “victory” and the homeschooled, bespectacled girl from Alwar, Secunderabad was attracted to table tennis because her elder brother Vijaytej (20) played tennis and would go to tournaments.But considering her condition, her father Vijay Bhaskar Raju introduces Vijaya to TT at home.
“I hope to represent India and win a medal in the competition. paralympics‘
Bhaskar, the defense accounts auditor, recalled daughter Vijaya’s prenatal scans showing brittle bones and that she even suffered a fracture during delivery because doctors were unaware she already had the disease.
Vijaya suffered most of his fractures while crawling as a toddler. “Her weight is in her hands. She now uses a different wheelchair at home and when playing. While changing wheelchairs, she fell several times and broke both legs and hands. She slipped a lot in the bathtub times, and broke his leg.
For Vijaya, walking was an ordeal until the age of seven, when she suffered a broken hip and knee Operation. These affected her movements, requiring her to seek help with most daily chores. “We have to take care of her like glass,” Bhaskar said.
Unlike other teenagers, Vijaya was unable to attend school due to multiple surgeries and the risk of further injury. “My parents and brothers are very supported. They taught me at home. I plan to appear for Class X exams through open schools this year or next year,” she said.
His mother, Aruna, recalled that Vijaya fell while trying to climb onto the upper berth of the train and suffered a fracture. They were on their way to a tennis tournament in Vijaytej. “We always carry crepe bandages and painkillers,” Aruna said.
When Vijaytej came on stage, Vijaya started playing card games. In Indore, she finished second, losing only to 2020 Paralympic silver medalist Bhavina Patel.Vijaya says she is now Dream Representing India in the Paralympics and winning medals.
Bhaskar outlines challenge. “She is ranked third in the country. In order to compete in the Paralympics, she needs to compete internationally. Travel is expensive and we are looking for sponsors to make her dream a reality,” he said
