Helena Frye
Manasi Joshi is an Indian para-badminton player who has competed at both national and international levels. Joshi's journey to becoming a para-badminton player began when she lost her leg in a road accident in 2011. Despite this setback, she continued to chase her dreams with determination and made her international debut in 2015. Since then, she has won numerous medals, including a gold medal at the Para-Badminton World Championship in 2019. In addition to her athletic achievements, Joshi has also been recognised by the BBC as one of the most inspirational and powerful women in the world in 2020.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 11 June 1989 |
| Birthplace | Rajkot, Gujarat, India |
| Education | K. J. Somaiya College of Engineering, University of Mumbai |
| Profession | Software Engineer |
| Sporting Journey Began | 2015 |
| Sporting Category | Para Badminton Women's Singles SL3 |
| Achievements | Ranked world No.1 in women's singles SL3 category in 2022; Won a silver medal in mixed doubles at the Para-Badminton World Championship in 2015; Won a bronze medal at the Asian Para Games in 2018; Won a gold medal at the Para-Badminton World Championship in 2019; Won a silver medal in doubles and a bronze in singles SL3 at the Asian Para Games in 2022; Recognized by BBC as one of the 100 most inspirational and powerful women across the world in 2020; Won the Maharashtra Rajya Eklavya Khel Krida Puraskar (Highest State honour) in 2017; Won the National award for Best Sportsperson with Disability (female) in 2019; Won the Differently abled athlete of the year award at ESPN India Awards in 2019; Won the Times of India Sports award for Best para-athlete of the year in 2019 |
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What You'll Learn
Manasi Joshi's inspiring journey to para badminton
Manasi Girishchandra Joshi is an Indian para-badminton player. She is a former world champion in the para-badminton women's singles SL3 category. On 8 March 2022, she was ranked world No.1 in the women's singles SL3 category and was ranked world No.2 in 2020.
Joshi's journey to becoming a para-badminton player began when she was just six years old. She started playing badminton with her father, a retired scientist from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. She continued to play throughout her school and college life, even representing her school, college, and corporate at various tournaments. In 2010, she graduated with a degree in Electronics Engineering from the University of Mumbai and began working as a software engineer.
However, Joshi's life took a sudden turn in December 2011 when she met with a road accident while riding her motorbike to work. She suffered a severe injury to her left leg, which had to be amputated. Despite this setback, Joshi's passion for badminton remained unwavering. After spending 45 days in the hospital and learning to walk again with the help of crutches, she got a prosthetic leg and began her sporting journey in 2015.
Joshi started competing in international events from 2015 and quickly rose through the ranks. In 2015, she won a silver medal in mixed doubles at the Para-Badminton World Championship. She followed this up with a bronze medal in the 2016 women's singles and another bronze in the 2017 World Championship. In 2018, she won a gold medal in a Spanish international event and a bronze medal in the women's singles SL3 category at the Thailand Para-Badminton International.
Joshi's inspiring journey has not gone unnoticed. In 2020, she was recognised by Barbie, who modelled a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll to her likeness to inspire young girls. She was also named by the BBC as one of the 100 most inspirational and powerful women across the world in the same year. Joshi's determination and grit have truly defied the odds, and she continues to be an inspiration to many.
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Medals and achievements
Manasi Joshi is an Indian para-badminton player who has achieved numerous accolades throughout her career. Despite facing adversity and setbacks, she has become a source of inspiration for many. Here is a detailed account of her medals and achievements:
2015: Joshi began her sporting journey in 2015, and within the same year, she made her mark on the international stage. She won a silver medal in mixed doubles at the Para-Badminton World Championship held in Stoke Mandeville, England. This early success set the tone for her future achievements.
2016: In the following year, Joshi added to her accolades by winning a bronze medal in the women's singles event. While the source does not specify the event for this medal, it demonstrates her consistent performance on the international stage.
2017: Joshi continued her winning streak in 2017, securing a bronze medal at the World Championships. This achievement further solidified her position as a rising star in para-badminton.
2018: This year proved to be a significant one for Joshi, as she won multiple medals and rose to international prominence. She won a bronze medal for India at the Asian Para Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia. Additionally, she claimed another bronze medal in the women's singles SL3 category at the Thailand Para-Badminton International. This tournament was particularly noteworthy as it was her first competition after receiving a sports prosthesis.
2019: Joshi reached new heights in 2019, becoming a world champion. She won a gold medal at the Para-Badminton World Championship in Basel, Switzerland. This achievement cemented her status as one of the top para-badminton players in the world. In the same year, she also received several prestigious awards, including the National Award for Best Sportsperson with Disability (Female), the Differently Abled Athlete of the Year award at the ESPN India Awards, and the Times of India Sports award for Best Para-athlete of the Year.
2020: By 2020, Joshi had established herself as a leading figure in para-badminton. She was ranked world No. 2 in the women's singles SL3 category. Additionally, she received recognition from Barbie, who celebrated her achievements by modelling a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll in her likeness to inspire young girls. The BBC also acknowledged her impact by naming her one of the 100 most inspirational and powerful women across the globe.
2022: Joshi continued to excel, and on March 8, 2022, she achieved the ranking of world No. 1 in the women's singles SL3 category. This accomplishment is a testament to her consistent performance and dedication to the sport. In the same year, she also won a silver medal in doubles with Thulasimathi Murugesan and a bronze medal in singles SL3 at the Asian Para Games in Gangzhou, China.
Joshi's determination and passion for badminton have brought her tremendous success. Her journey serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that setbacks can be overcome with perseverance and a strong will.
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Joshi's career before her accident
Manasi Joshi was born on 11 June 1989 in Rajkot, Gujarat, and raised in Anushaktinagar, Mumbai. She started playing badminton at the age of six with her father, a retired scientist from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. She continued to play badminton throughout her school and college life, even representing her school, college, and corporate at various tournaments. In 2010, she graduated with a degree in Electronics Engineering from K. J. Somaiya College of Engineering, University of Mumbai. After graduating, she worked as a software engineer until December 2011.
Joshi's passion for badminton started at a young age. She started competing in international events from 2015 and has since represented her country in various badminton tournaments. In 2015, she won a silver medal in mixed doubles at the Para-Badminton World Championship in Stoke Mandeville, England. This was a turning point in her sporting career. She followed this success with a bronze medal in the 2016 women's singles, a bronze in the 2017 World Championship, and a gold in a Spanish international event.
In 2018, Joshi won a bronze medal for India at the Asian Para Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. She also won a bronze medal in the women's singles SL3 category at the Thailand Para-Badminton International 2018. That same year, she was ranked world No. 2 in the women's singles SL3 category. In 2019, she won a gold medal at the Para-Badminton World Championship in Basel, Switzerland, a silver medal in doubles with Thulasimathi Murugesan, and a bronze in the singles SL3 at the Asian Para Games in Gangzhou, China.
Joshi's achievements have been recognised by many organisations. In 2017, she received the Maharashtra Rajya Eklavya Khel Krida Puraskar, the highest state honour. In 2019, she received the National Award for Best Sportsperson with Disability (female) and was named Differently Abled Athlete of the Year at the ESPN India Awards. She was also awarded the Times of India Sports award for Best Para-athlete of the Year. In 2020, she was recognised by the BBC as one of the 100 most inspirational and powerful women across the globe and was nominated for the BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year Award.
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Her training and coaching
Manasi Joshi's training and coaching have been integral to her success in para badminton. She first started playing badminton at the age of six with her father, Girishchandra Joshi, a retired scientist at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai. She continued to play badminton as a hobby and represented her school, college, and district in various tournaments.
In 2018, Joshi enrolled in the badminton academy of legendary Indian coach Pullela Gopichand in Hyderabad. She approached Gopichand and asked him to train her, and he was inspired by her story and determination. Under Gopichand's guidance, Joshi's career flourished, and she reached new heights in para badminton.
At the Pullela Gopichand Academy, Joshi worked closely with physical trainer L. Raju and coach J. Rajendra Kumar. She also credits her brother, Kunjan, an entomological researcher, as her first coach in her para-badminton journey. Joshi's training regimen includes regular yoga practice, and she has also mentioned the importance of her physio, who helped her strengthen her balance.
Joshi has expressed her desire to give back to the sporting community by coaching potential youngsters who have experienced life-changing disabilities. She wants to provide emotional and psychological guidance, motivation, and support for their sporting and educational pursuits.
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Manasi Joshi as a role model
Manasi Joshi is an Indian para-badminton player who has inspired many with her journey. She was born in Rajkot, Gujarat, and grew up in Anushaktinagar, Mumbai. From a young age, Manasi was passionate about sports, playing both football and badminton. This passion for badminton was instilled in her by her father, with whom she started playing at the age of six. Alongside her sporting pursuits, Manasi pursued her academic goals, graduating with a degree in Electronics Engineering from the University of Mumbai in 2010. She then worked as a software engineer.
However, tragedy struck in December 2011 when Manasi was involved in a road accident while riding her motorbike to work. As a consequence, her left leg had to be amputated. This could have been a crushing blow to her dreams and aspirations, but Manasi's determination and optimism shone through. After a 45-day hospital stay and learning to walk again with crutches, she got a prosthetic leg and set her sights on a new goal: para-badminton.
Her sporting journey began in 2015, and she quickly rose through the ranks, making her international debut in Spain. Manasi's achievements are a testament to her hard work and dedication. She has won medals at various prestigious tournaments, including the World Championships and the Asian Para Games. In 2019, she was recognised as the National Best Sportsperson with a Disability (female) and was also awarded the title of Differently Abled Athlete of the Year by ESPN India. In 2020, she was ranked world No. 2 in women's singles SL3 and was recognised by the BBC as one of the 100 most inspirational and powerful women across the globe.
Manasi Joshi embodies the spirit of resilience and perseverance. Despite the challenges she faced, she refused to give up on her dreams and worked tirelessly to achieve her goals. Her journey serves as a reminder that setbacks can be overcome with determination and a positive attitude. Manasi's success in para-badminton has not only brought her recognition but also inspired countless others facing their own struggles. She believes that para-athletes can be role models for young talent, showcasing that adversity can be turned into an opportunity for growth and triumph. Manasi's story is a testament to the power of the human spirit, and she continues to be an ambassador for para-sports, breaking down barriers and challenging societal perceptions.
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Frequently asked questions
Manasi Joshi is an Indian para-badminton player. She is a former world champion in the para-badminton women's singles SL3 category.
In December 2011, Joshi was in a road accident while riding her motorbike to work. Her left leg was crushed and had to be amputated.
Joshi started competing in international para-badminton events from 2015.
Joshi is a former world champion in the para-badminton women's singles SL3 category. She won a silver medal in the mixed doubles at the 2015 Para-Badminton World Championship and a gold medal at the 2019 edition of the tournament. She has also won bronze medals at the Asian Para Games in 2018 and 2022, and at the Thailand Para-Badminton International in 2018.
Joshi has won numerous awards, including:
- National award for Best Sportsperson with Disability (female) in 2019
- Differently abled athlete of the year award at ESPN India Awards in 2019
- Times of India Sports award for Best para-athlete of the year in 2019
- BBC recognised her as one of the 100 most inspirational and powerful women across the world in 2020
