When it comes to the Adani Ahmedabad Marathon, every year brings a wave of inspiring stories from aspirants who want to use the race as a platform to showcase their journeys in the world of sports. Among them is 39-year-old Ashok Parmar, a para-athlete who has defied the odds at every step of his life.
Despite being diagnosed with polio at just eight months old, Ashok has been participating in multiple sporting events and marathons since 2021, constantly pushing his limits and redefining expectations. Hailing from a farming family in Gujarat’s Amreli district, he contracted polio after a medical practitioner gave him the wrong injection during a major epidemic. What could have been a major setback instead became the catalyst for an extraordinary journey. Over time, Ashok developed into a bodybuilder, powerlifter and marathon runner, earning recognition at the state and national levels.
The highly regarded para-athlete is a two-time national gold medalist at the Federation of India Powerlifting Championships (2021 and 2022) and has repeatedly shone on the Gujarat para-powerlifting circuit, bagging numerous medals at state and national events.
However, the journey was far from easy. Ashok faced mockery and ridicule growing up because of his condition, but sports became his response to the criticism. Before taking part in the 5km leg of the marathon, he spoke to India Today about his sporting journey, how he got into running and his dream to represent India on the global stage.
Adam Ashok Parmar did not need a separate category. He stood shoulder to shoulder with every competitor in the Gujarat State Bench Press & Deadlift Championship and walked away with Gold.
Yes, Ashok is an otherwise capable Adanian. But then we don’t ask for exceptions – we do pic.twitter.com/ccKsI06Vdk— Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) July 1, 2025
BEGINNING
Ashok’s entry into the sport has the feel of a Bollywood drama. People’s constant ridicule of his disability pushed him into the gym and eventually into bodybuilding.
“I belong to a village and the kids there teased me. So it was very bad. The second thing was that no matter how these kids play, I couldn’t do it. I wanted to do it, but because I couldn’t run away, it was very bad. But still I kept fighting. My family also kept encouraging me. Still, the teasing continued even when I came to the city.”
“Then I saw in movies that the hero punches everyone. So the hero is strong and like a bodybuilder. So I thought to myself, I’m going to go to the gym, build my body, and beat up people who teased me. Actually, it was a childhood idea of ’hitting’. Then I joined the gym.”
“After a few months, my strength increased, my body started to take shape. Some people told me, your strength is good, why not participate in a bodybuilding competition? So in 2014, I participated in a state bodybuilding competition. I participated in my category and won the first prize. That encouraged me.” Ashok started participating in marathons from 2021 (Credit: Ashok Parmar)
He soon understood that bodybuilding requires significant financial investment, especially in nutrition. This led him to move towards powerlifting, where he surprised everyone by winning a bronze medal in an event where he competed against non-disabled athletes.
“They told me about powerlifting in 2016. I started powerlifting and in my first event I was grouped with normal people, there was no handicap category. I got third place, a bronze medal in the state competition in Gujarat,” said Ashok.
Ashok’s love for the marathon started with the Adani Ahmedabad Marathon in 2021, shortly after he joined the Adani Group as an employee. Two friends encouraged him to try running and convinced him to take part in a 5km race.
“In fact, when I joined Adani, the Ahmedabad Marathon was held after a few months. That year, every employee participated, some in the two-kilometer run, some just for fun. I didn’t participate because of my difficulty. One or two months passed during the registration period.”
“Then a friend came and said try the two-kilometer fun run. I was like, ok, I’ll try. Then another friend said, why only two, do the five-kilometer one. Then the person said: I’m going too, don’t cancel it, run as hard as you can. So I accepted the challenge. It was my first run, five kilometers, but I had problems.”
“Actually, it’s my first marathon. I’ve never run like that continuously. I walked slowly, the atmosphere was encouraging. I slowly decided, I’m going to complete five kilometers without stopping. I accidentally went ahead, completed seven or eight kilometers. That was my personal record. Then I did 4.5 kilometers in the next marathon. This year will be my fourth,” said Ashok.
Asked how his family reacted to his participation in powerlifting and the marathon, Ashok said he often had to hide it from his parents, recalling how he hid his medals because his father feared for his safety.
“Look, differently-abled people don’t wait for someone’s permission. I didn’t say at home that I will run. I just went, participated, brought the medal home and kept it a secret. Even two years ago, I won two national gold medals in Delhi and Surat and I didn’t tell my family. My father is very sensitive, he is worried that something will happen because of my condition. But still I didn’t tell my father, but I never he didn’t give up. much, he says enough, stop it, but I just take the blessing and move on, they keep wondering if I ate well, how the competition went and so on.
THE INDIAN DREAM
Like all athletes, Ashok dreams of representing India at the international level. When asked if that was his ultimate goal, he answered with pride.
“Yes, definitely. Every athlete wants to represent their state, then participate in national and then international events. I want to keep winning medals in nationals and then represent India at the international level,” said Ashok.
While the dream is big, balancing life is a daily challenge. A married man with a corporate job, Ashok juggles grueling routines, long commutes and family responsibilities – but his passion keeps him going.
“Every day I ride eighty kilometers on my two-wheeler, go to the gym, do my corporate work and attend to my family responsibilities. Everyone says it’s very hard, but I keep doing it. I haven’t given up, I keep fighting, training, winning medals. I just want to represent India at the international level,” said Ashok.
– The end
Published on:
November 28, 2025
