TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Having successfully completed 300 kms. long Mumbai-Shirdi Walkathon for the blind, in 2008-10, 57 year old Amarjeet Singh Chawla is disabled with Macular Degeneration which mean is totally blind will be participating at the Goa River Marathon on Sunday, December 8th.
Amarjeet who has been participating in sports activities since 2004 at the age of 48, successfully completed half marathons in Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon, 2004-2013, Airtel Delhi Half Marathon, 2006-07, IMA Veterans Half Marathon, Manglore, 2009, Vasai-Virar Mayor’s Marathon, 2012-13, Thane Marathon 2012-13 and the R & L Monsoon Half Marathon, Mumbai, 2013.
Amarjeet who successfully completed many 10 kms. and 12.5kms. road races in and around Mumbai and Thane is a passionate trekker and mountaineer. He is the only blind person to scale the 19,830ft. high Dolma Pass in Kailash Parikrama, Tibet (China) in June 2009 and to have successfully completed 1,100ft. rappelling from Takmak Point in Raigad Fort (Maharashtra) in December 2009, being the only blind to do so.
An inspirational personality Amarjeet apart from being a passionate marathoner, trekker and mountaineer is also an avid swimmer and has won a Gold medal in 50mts. free style at the All India Swimming Competition for Disabled, Mumbai in 2004 and a silver medal in 50mts. free style in Maharashtra Swimming Competition for Disabled, Pune in 2005.
Also in action will be yet another cancer survivor Jennifer Chagas-Pereira Gadgil. Jennifer underwent a mastectomy and reconstruction three years ago. Her recovery has been very steady and has put all that behind her. She will run the Goa River Marathon because she can. “And if I can, so can you,” she says as a message to every reader, old and young.
Her experience with cancer has motivated her to embrace challenges with a whole lot of positivity. “ I no longer fear, ignore or wish away challenges. Head on is the way for me now. Which is why, when Dr. Sharmila told me about this marathon and asked if I’d be up for it, “YES!” was what I blurted instantly and “I can!” is what my heart thumped in synchronised excitement,” she said in a statement.
Jennifer was recommended three months of rest after her surgery. She spent those three months in Panjim at her parents’, the home she grew up in, loved and cared for by family and neighbours.
“ I have chosen to be part of this event because I am Goan. So running this marathon is extra special to me. I am buoyed by a feeling of pride towards my home state, gratitude for the blessing of a new lease on life and triumph for making it this far. See you all at the marathon,” Jennifer signed off in a message.
