Flame Bearers: Pathways to Paris

We met Manasi Joshi in Season 1, when she discussed losing her leg, rehabbing through badminton, and disability policy in India. Today, we follow up with Manasi since our last conversation in the fall of 2020. We discuss her rise to world #1 in both parabadminton singles and mixed doubles and her hopes for the Paris 2024 Paralympics. She also discusses receiving India's Arjuna Award from the President of India (one of the highest sporting honors in India celebrating 'outstanding performance in sports and games'.) That said, when asked what she's most proud of, Manasi' said it's her approach and mentality: "I think to be able to navigate the situations that I've been through, post injury, post picking up a sport. And I'm proud of speaking up for my own rights and the rights of people who are just like me... Right now I'm proud of taking a huge leap of faith without thinking what I'll get in return. I left my job when my sport was not even in the Paralympics. I just wanted to play and push myself." Contributing experts include Kunjan Joshi (Manasi's brother), and Rajendra Kumar (Manasi's Coach). Media clips from the following sources were used: -Pavel Dobynin's YouTube Channel, '07 05 WS SL3 Group B Manasi Girishchandra Joshi VS Oksana Kozyna 2' -Ability Foundation's YouTube Channel, 'Manasi Joshi - Recipient of CKAA 2022' -Republic World's YouTube Channel, 'Manasi Joshi & Pullela Gopichand Speak After Her BWF Para Badminton World Championship Gold' -Para Sport's YouTube Channel, '#MondayMotivation with Manasi Joshi' -limp_noddle YouTube Channel, 'Badminton practice background noise' -Sound Effects YouTube Channel, 'Ambulance Siren Sound'