Chandu Champion: The true narrative of Murli Petkar.
Chandu Champion presents an extraordinary true narrative of resolve, tenacity, and bravery. Under the direction of Kabir Khan, this motivational biographical film chronicles the life of Murli Kant Petkar, India’s inaugural Paralympic gold medalist. The accomplished actor Kartik Aaryan brings the esteemed athlete to life in this cinematic portrayal.
The film is inspired by the true story of Murlikant Petkar, who was born in a village close to Sangli in Maharashtra. He was a determined young boy with big dreams of bringing home a gold medal for India in wrestling at the Olympics.
Murlikant Petkar is a well-known name in the history of Indian sports, especially for his remarkable accomplishments in para-sports. In 1972, Murlikant Petkar achieved a historic milestone for India by securing the nation’s inaugural Paralympic gold medal in Heidelberg, Germany. He emerged victorious in the 50 m freestyle swimming event, etching his name in the annals of Indian sporting history.
Early life and back ground of Murlikant Petkar
Murlikant Petkar was born in Peth Islampur, Sangli, Maharashtra on November 1, 1944. He loved sports since he was a kid in school. He was really good at wrestling, athletics, and hockey. One time, he beat the village head’s son in wrestling and had to deal with the angry villagers after that.
Family Background:
He was born into a simple family. Growing up in a countryside area helped him develop a strong bond with the local culture and community values.
Childhood Education:
Petkar went to schools in his village, where he completed his primary and secondary education.
Interest in Sports:
Since he was young, Petkar had a great passion for sports and physical activities. He was an energetic child who loved playing different sports and games with his friends.
Challenges:
Living in a rural area, he faced many difficulties such as limited resources and opportunities. However, he never lost his determination and stayed focused on his interests.
Military life
- In 1965, Murlikant Petkar became a soldier in the Indian Army.
- He worked as a jawan in the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME).
- Sadly, during the 1965 Indo-Pak war, Petkar got badly hurt. He lost his right arm and his leg got severely damaged. This injury made him permanently disabled.
A bullet hit him and he lost his right arm and hurt his leg really bad, which made him disabled.
Life After Getting Hurt After he got hurt,
Petkar had to go through a tough rehab process. Even though his injuries were really bad, he showed a lot of strength and determination. He found out he was really good at sports during his rehab. He started training in swimming, table tennis, javelin, and shot put.
Sport life
After getting hurt, Petkar didn’t let his disability stop him. He started practicing different sports.
Para-Swimming:
Petkar is most famous for his accomplishments in swimming. He took part in the 1972 Summer Paralympics in Heidelberg, Germany. He got a gold medal in the 50m freestyle swimming event, and he set a world record with a time of 37.33 seconds. This made him the first Indian to win a gold medal at the Paralympic Games.
Other Sports:
Apart from swimming, Petkar also did really well in javelin, shot put, and table tennis. He represented India in many international competitions.
Rewards and Recognitions
•Arjuna Award:
In recognition of Petkar’s exceptional athletic accomplishments, the Government of India presented him with the esteemed Arjuna Award in 1972
• Padma Shri:
In 2018, he received India’s fourth-highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, in recognition of his inspirational journey and contributions to sports.
Personal life
- Murlikant Petkar still plays sports and coaches young athletes.
- He actively participates in a number of activities and events that support sports for people with disabilities.
Murlikant Petkar’s incredible story of overcoming hardship and becoming a gold medallist at the Paralympic Games is an inspiration to many people worldwide.
Petkar’s incredible journey
From a soldier injured in war to becoming a Paralympic gold medalist is truly inspiring. His story shows us the power of determination and the ability to overcome any obstacle. Petkar’s advocacy for disabled soldiers and athletes is commendable, as he uses his own experiences to encourage and uplift others who are going through similar struggles. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.