6 days ago
Jehan Dorab Madan: Inspiring Journey from Paralysis to Table Tennis Champion
An accident in 2007 left him paralysed. Now, J D Madan is back on the podium, winning medals in table tennis
M Sudharshan | TNN
Until 2007, Jehan Dorab Madan led an active life as a professional racing driver, while tennis, windsurfing and swimming in the ocean were among his hobbies. However, his life took a dramatic turn after an accident left him paralysed.
But Madan from
Tamil Nadu
, a passionate sportsperson, refused to give up. Fourteen years after the accident, in 2021, he discovered a love for table tennis and has been making steady progress ever since. What has helped him excel in the sport, winning medals at international and national levels, is the disciplined approach he has maintained towards his recovery.
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'When you are paralysed, the most important thing is to stay active so your body can function,' says the 48-year-old.
'At one point, I could not even lift a spoon, but I kept trying so my body would start to adapt. Now, everything seems easy.'
Madan, a class 1 (wheelchair) athlete, won multiple medals at the recent ITTF events in Taipei (Future) and Kaohsiung (Challenger). In Kaohsiung, he clinched silver in the men's singles, losing to multiple Olympic medallist Joo Young Dae of South Korea.
'The Kaohsiung competition was a game-changing event for me.
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Undo
I never used to win from losing positions, but this time, I managed to do that on multiple occasions. I identified my opponent's weaknesses even when he was leading, took some risks which I had not done before, and it paid off,' says Madan, who won gold in the Khelo India Para Games earlier this year.
Madan has also started to gain confidence in himself as he travels frequently and manages things on his own, something that was not possible between 2007 and 2021.
'I thought my world was confined to my home. But travelling around the world opened my mind and gave me confidence. Simple things like going to the supermarket or taking a bus are possible abroad, which is not the case in India due to accessibility issues.'
Madan had a tough season last year and failed to qualify for the Paris Paralympics; however, the lessons learned from competing against top-ranked players have shaped him into a better athlete. While Madan predominantly competes in the Future and Challenger categories, he is slowly pushing the bar and gaining valuable points to enter elite-level tournaments. 'Next year will give me a better idea of where I stand in terms of qualifying for the Los Angeles Paralympics.
The ranking system has changed, and top-ranked players will need to participate in competitions to earn points,' says Madan, who is ranked 22nd in the world.
Robot rally
Madan mostly trains with a robot at home, which he says is helpful as it allows him to focus on specific drills. 'Players in my category often try to prevent their opponent from reaching the ball by playing close to the net. So, I spend half of my session practising those shots, and then I play with my able-bodied friends who compete at club level.'
