Murlikant Petkar

Murlikant Petkar, a Paralympic gold medalist, whose story is now being immortalized in the Hindi-language sports drama film 'Chandu Champion,' directed by Kabir Khan and starring Kartik Aaryan, is a name that resonates with extraordinary resilience, unmatched determination, and a pioneering spirit in Indian sports history. At the 1972 Summer Paralympics in Heidelberg, Germany, Murlikant made history by winning India’s first-ever Paralympic gold medal. He triumphed in the 50-meter freestyle swimming event, setting a world record with a time of 37.33 seconds, a remarkable achievement that still echoes in the annals of Indian sports. 

Murlikant’s early life was marked by a deep love for sports, particularly boxing. His talent in the ring soon caught the attention of the Indian Army, and he was recruited as a jawan of the craftsman rank in the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME).

Murlikant’s promising boxing career took a dramatic turn during the 1965 Indo-Pak war when he sustained severe bullet wounds that left him disabled. However, this setback did not diminish his passion for sports; instead, it fueled his determination to excel in other arenas. Adapting to his new reality, Murlikant switched from boxing to swimming and other sports, embarking on a journey that would eventually lead him to global recognition.

Beyond swimming, Petkar demonstrated his versatility by participating in javelin, precision javelin throw, and slalom events at the same games, reaching the finals in all three disciplines. Murlikant also represented India in table tennis at the 1968 Summer Paralympics, where he advanced past the first round. 

Following his illustrious sports career, Murlikant was employed by TELCO in Pune, where he continued to inspire others with his story of courage and perseverance. His contributions to sports and his remarkable achievements were recognized by the Government of India in 2018 when he was awarded the Padma Shri, one of the country’s highest civilian honors.