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The Brave Hearts with full determination to succeed and completed the distance in 10 hours and 53 minutes, thereby becoming the first ever physically disabled swimmer to cross the Catalina Creek. With this successful feat, Taranath is now acclaimed as the world's fastest and most powerful physically challenged swimmer. Well done Taranath!
The Indian Cricketer Anil Kumble of Bangalore, while accepting the Arjuna Award, said that he was honoured to receive the award along with Malathi Holla. This Malathi Holla won four gold medals in 1989 in World Masters in Denmark in shot put and discus-throw. After two years in Australian Open in Queensland she won three gold medals in shot put, javelin-throw and discusthrow. Then in 1994 she won silver medal in discus throw, in Beijing. She, then, took part in table-tennis and swimming.
Adversity does not damper her spirit. The shot put often slips from her hand and lands on her thighs, which results in blood clots. As a consequence, she has to undergo several operations, but who cares? With a smile on her face, she says: “I am happy and proud that my achievement is recognised. I have come to think that my handicap is God's gift. If I had been normal, maybe, I would never have tried the different things I did. But I would like most to be the role model not only for the handicapped but also for normal people."
Like Anil kumble, who is a role model in cricket, Malathi Holla has also become a role model for others to emulate.
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