Former Marine Commando (MARCO) and hero of Mumbai’s 26/11 terror attacks, Praveen Teotia, has apparently become India’s first disabled Ironman. Teotia (33) has recently won the title of world’s toughest and prestigious competition of Ironman Triathlon Championship 2018 in South Africa despite being physically disabled.
Teotia, whose right lung is affected and is suffering from hearing loss after he received four bullets during 26/11 attacks at the Taj Hotel, had got injured after the derailleur of his cycle broke down mid-way during the competition, yet he continued cycling uphill for remaining 70 km with his injured knee and ankle in South Africa.
“One has to complete 180.2 km of cycling in the Ironman Trithalon. After cycling for 110 km, the derailleur of my cycle crumbled and I fell down on the road and injured my knee and ankle in the accident. But I did not give up. There was bike maintenance tent hardly 50 metres away. They repaired my cycle in 35 minutes and made it gearless. It was really tough to cycle uphill for next 70 km but I mustered my courage and completed the cycle of 180.2 km in 7:37 hours,” Teotia told the Free Press Journal.
After cycling, Teotia ran for 42.2-kilometre with his bleeding leg to get the title of Ironman. “I am focussed and determined and never give up the challenge,” Teotia added. After taking voluntary retirement from Indian Navy in last July, Teotia started to work with The Taj Group as security man in Delhi. But he had to resign in March to prepare himself to get Ironman title.
“After resigning from the Taj Group, I went to Goa on March 2 to prepare myself to the toughest challenge. After practising for one month under the guidance of Kaustubh Radkar, I went to South Africa and won the title,” recalled Teotia, whose coach Radkar dubbed him as ‘mentally and physically strong persona’.
“He (Teotia) was introduced to me by a friend. I knew that he is a disabled person but since he is a marine commando. The MARCOS undergo rigorous training. They are well determined and never give up challenges. They would fight till end. It was pleasure for me to coach him. I am very happy to see him,” said Radkar, who is a certified coach for triathlon and has finished 20 Ironmans till date.
During 26/11 attacks Teotia had received 4 bullets which affected his right lung and hearing and over 100 bullet splinters are still lodged inside him. Despite being physically disabled and undergoing multiple surgeries, Teotia has been doing extraordinary tasks to prove his physical endurance. Now he has vowed to win America’s Ultraman in February next year.
