Thulasimathi Murugesan was once reduced to tears as some of her schoolmates taunted her with the calls of ‘alien’ -- an unsympathetic reference to her birth malformation and dark complexion. 

But time has changed, and the 22-year-old now stands in front of the world as an Arjuna Awardee, a reward she received after winning a silver medal in the Paris Paralympics.

Thulasimathi’s story is one of relentless perseverance, fueled by her father's unwavering support. He refused to let societal scorn dictate his daughter's destiny.

D. Murugesan, a daily wage labourer with an unquenchable love for sports, did not let his circumstances prevent him from encouraging his daughters—Thulasimathi and Kiruttigha—to pursue a career in sports.

"Since day one, I was born in a humble middle-class family. He is the one who has taught me badminton. He was my coach for the past 13 years. There were times we could not even buy a racquet, good shoes, or the next meal. The time was excruciating, but we did not give up,” Thulasimathi revealed while speaking to PTI.

“He trained me to compete with able-bodied athletes and I became national champion for four years during my school days. I got a chance to play Para badminton in 2023. I represented my country in 15 international tournaments and won 16 gold medals, 11 silver, and 7 bronze medals. For the past two years, I have been training at Gopichand academy,” she added.

An accident in 2022 rendered her completely paralyzed. While driving a scooter with one hand, she lost control and suffered a severe injury, leading to a radial excision. The family was devastated.

Still, Thulasimathi bounced back. After recovering, she traveled to 15 countries, amassing 16 gold, 11 silver, and 7 bronze medals, including a remarkable haul at the Asian Para Games.

Her silver medal performance at the Paris Paralympics in 2024 was a career-defining moment. Thulasimathi was in her veterinary medicine class in Namakkal when the Arjuna Award was announced.