Eighteen-year-old Dilip Gavit, a budding para-athlete with his right arm amputated below the elbow, has participated in only one para-athletics tournament so far. Despite his success, Gavit finds the level of competition in para championships too easy and lacking in thrill for him. Contrary to sounding overconfident, Gavit believes that such confidence and resilience are essential to compete against non-disabled athletes in open events.
At the 400m nationals in Delhi, Gavit secured a spot in the U20 finals by finishing second in his heat with a time of 49.89s. However, his disappointment was evident when he finished fifth in the U20 race with a time of 49.85s. Reflecting on his performance, Gavit acknowledged the need to improve his finish and expressed his determination to consult with his coach for guidance.
Having earned four national-level medals in open competitions, Gavit had aimed to finish within 48s at the nationals. His coach and guardian, Vaijnath Kale, expressed confidence in Gavit’s talent, stating that he believes the young athlete will soon achieve this goal.
Gavit’s right arm was amputated when he was around four years old due to an injury sustained from falling off a tree. Recounting the incident, he revealed that his parents initially sought treatment from an ayurvedic practitioner instead of a proper hospital, resulting in a delayed and ineffective response to the infection.
Fascinated by running from an early age, Gavit began participating in school-level events, catching the attention of coach Vaijnath at a local meet six years ago. Despite Gavit’s initial modest running abilities, Coach Kale, driven by a desire to provide fair opportunities for young athletes, agreed to train him, meeting the condition set by Gavit’s parents to cover all expenses.
Living with Coach Kale’s family in Nasik, Gavit expressed deep trust and gratitude toward his mentor. Unfazed by the lack of a mobile phone, social media accounts, or interest in watching TV, Gavit’s life revolves around athletics, and he considers Coach Kale as everything to him.
Gavit is determined to secure a Paralympic medal for his country and plans to continue participating in open competitions, asserting that he does not consider himself disabled and believes he is in no way inferior to other athletes. Chief coach Galina Bukharina acknowledged Gavit’s talent and suggested that with a sponsor’s support, including a prosthetic hand implant, he could significantly improve his timings.