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| Alphia James, Dubai |
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It was
while waiting for the call to the Indian team in basketball that a slip landed
16-year-old Alphia James in the wheelchair. She fell from the 3rd floor
terrace while trying to retrieve dried cloths. That fall shattered not only her
spine but her dreams as well.
After
surgery and a series of physiotherapy sessions at different hospitals, she realized
her condition. Like any other youth, she
was devastated by the reality at first.
But then she tried to pick herself up by herself.
Her first
decision was to be independent. Leaving her widowed mother and brother at home,
she moved into a hostel for her degree studies in Jain University, Kochi.
It was here
that she heard of para-basketball. As
she started practicing, she searched for a gym where she could work out. And after enrolling in on one such gym she
started power-lifting too. Soon she was
the state-champion and silver medalist at the national level.
But by then
she had heard of para-Olympics. She
wanted to excel in an individual sport and so chose para-badminton. She searched and found a place in Kochi for
practice. And within a short time, she
had become the national champion and obtained a sponsor and a job as accountant
in Dubai.
Thus, she
started residing in Dubai and participating in competitions. She was the national champion 4 times. She is ranked No.1 in India and No.3 in the
world. In mixed doubles, her team ranks
No.1 and in women’s world ranking her team is the sixth. In the recent world championship, her team
won the silver medal in mixed doubles. A
moment which she considers the happiest in her sporting career.
The next
aim of this athlete with 37 medals is a medal in para-Olympics. For a wheelchair borne person who had done
sky-diving and scuba-diving, the dream is not an impossibility.
A diamond
that is broken can shine with an added facet.
Lismi
Elizabeth Antony (text), Vanitha, Jun 17, 2026
