Breaking Barriers: Amit Saroha, India’s Top Para-Athlete Attributes Success To Tailored Performance Training

Arjuna awardee Amit Kumar Saroha is one of India’s top Para athletes.

India’s remarkable performance at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, where athletes secured a historic 29 medals, marks a transformative era in para-sports. From the lone silver won by Girisha N. Gowda at the 2012 London Games to this triumph, the leap underscores not only the athletes’ resilience but also the significant role of tailored performance training. Arjuna awardee Amit Kumar Saroha, one of India’s top Para athletes and the first quadriplegic to represent India at a Paralympic Games, who trained at Invictus Performance Lab, attests to the lab’s impact: “Invictus Performance Lab has been instrumental in my journey. The tailored training programs, cutting-edge technology, and supportive environment helped me push my limits and achieve my goals. It’s a game-changer for para-athletes, empowering us to compete at the highest level.”

Gosports Foundation played a vital role in facilitating Amit Saroha’s transformative training journey by organizing and enabling his training stint at Invictus Performance Lab. Through their proactive support and coordination, the Foundation has once again demonstrated their commitment to empowering India’s para-athletes with world-class training opportunities.

Saroha adds, “The challenges of training a para-athlete are immense. The training center first needs to have a deep understanding of the disability of the athlete and accordingly design science-based structured training programs to enable the athlete to compete in the international arena.”

Bengaluru’s Invictus Performance Lab, led by Varun Shetty, has become a hub for athletes, offering structured and science-driven training programs. Shetty emphasizes that specialized training for para-athletes is not merely an adaptation of traditional methods but a meticulously designed system addressing the unique needs of various disabilities. “For instance, a wheelchair sprinter requires targeted upper-body strength training, while visually impaired runners focus on spatial awareness through specific drills. This individualized approach, combined with sports science and biomechanical insights, helps maximize athletes’ potential while minimizing injury risks.”

On the Center’s inclusivity program, Saroha mentions, “The training environment at Invictus fosters both physical and psychological well-being. By cultivating an inclusive community where para-athletes train alongside able-bodied individuals, the center eliminates social barriers and instils a sense of belonging.”

Adaptive technology plays a pivotal role in redefining para-sports and advanced tools like motion capture systems, wearable sensors, and specialized prosthetics are integrated into training programs, offering precise data and improving performance.

Nutrition and recovery are critical components of Invictus’ strategy. Custom meal plans cater to the unique metabolic needs of para-athletes, while recovery methods like hydrotherapy and mindfulness ensure sustained performance.

Looking ahead, Shetty envisions a bright future for para-sports, driven by advancements in technology and training. Invictus Performance Lab aims to be at the forefront of this movement, empowering para-athletes to break barriers and set new benchmarks in global events.

Through tailored training and a commitment to excellence, Invictus is not only shaping champions but also inspiring a generation to view sports as an avenue for overcoming physical challenges and achieving greatness.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a press release)

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