‘He said he was murdered by another athlete’: India’s Asian Para Games medalist Preeti Pal recalls losing training partner earlier this year

India’s Preeti Pal has dedicated her second silver medal at the Asian Para Games to her training partner Chirag Tyagi, who was gunned down in May. The sprinter remembered Chirag as a younger brother who dreamed of winning medals for India. He believes that if he were alive, he would have reached the podium in Nagoya, Japan.Preeti and Indian sprinter Simran Sharma trained with Chirag at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi under coach Gajendra Singh. His death devastated both athletes and memories of him came flooding back as they celebrated their achievements at the Games.“Within a short period of time, Chirag became our trusted training partner. He was like a younger brother but guided us,” Preeti told The Indian Express.She recalled Chirag’s ambition to represent India on the international stage. “I still remember him telling me, ‘Preeti didi, ek din main bhi apki aur Simran didi ki tarah Paralympics and Asian Games main medal jeetunga aur tirange ko rise hote dekhunga (One day I will also win medals for India in Paralympics and Asian Games and watch the Indian tricolor rise high). I dedicate the medals I won to Chirag. He was like a younger brother,” she said.

Preeti Pal and Simran shine at the Games

Preeti, who has cerebral palsy, clinched silver in the women’s 100m T35 final in 13.98 seconds on Wednesday and added to her silver in the 200m T35 on Tuesday.Simran, who is visually impaired, won her second gold medal of the Games by winning the women’s 100m T12 title in a record time of 12.02 seconds at the Asian Para Games after the 200m gold.Preeti recalled how she first learned of Chirag’s death while visiting her family in Uttar Pradesh.“Initially we thought it was an accident. Hours later we were told that Chirag was murdered by another athlete. It was a difficult phase for us. Chirag stayed in the stadium in the room opposite us. We remember him every day when we are in the stadium,” she said.

Chirag’s family remembers his dream

Chirag’s parents Manoj and Nisha watched the athletes’ performances from home.His mother said he was inspired by Preeti and Simran and was proud of their achievements. Both athletes, along with their coach, also stayed in touch with the family and provided financial support.Chirag qualified for the Para Asian Games in the men’s 400m and 1500m T12 events after winning gold at the Indian Open Para Athletics International Championship in Bengaluru in May.Preeti recalled Chirag cheering her on when she won the 100m T35 title at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi last year.“We had a deep bond,” she said, adding that she regretted never tying a rakhi on his wrist. “Winning medals gives me joy. I wish Chirag was with us to share the joy.”