Cycling a distance close to 3,000 kilometres is a daunting task for any athlete or enthusiast. The amount of skill, dedication and motivation has to be in perfect cohesion for one to achieve such a feat. But, what if the cyclist is an amputee and has only one functional leg to ride from Kashmir to Kanyakumari?
Indian para-cyclist Aditya Mehta did exactly that. In 2013, he became the first Indian para-cyclist to win a medal at an international event. The 28-year old recorded a double silver result in the MC-3 category to put India on the international para-cycling map. That very year he also completed the coveted Kashmir-Kanyakumari route, making him the only amputee cyclist to do so. However, the sport is more than just a reward based endeavour for Aditya.
Never gave importance to sport before accident: Mehta
Talking exclusively to Sportskeeda, he said, “Before I took up cycling I was a proper businessman. I didn’t care about sports, all I wanted to do is earn money. But an incident in 2005, changed my life. I was riding a bullet on the highway and met with an accident. A truck was coming from one side and it knocked me over and I was catapulted to the other lane. From that end a bus was coming and to avoid my face I tried to move and it went over my leg. That’s how I lost my leg. But at the end it’s all about destiny you know.”
He added, “On that particular day I was wearing a helmet for the first time. I never wore a helmet. The only reason I wore it was because it was a Harley Davidson one, basically to show-off. That’s what saved me on that day.”
After the accident, he was bed-ridden for years. It was not until 2011, that Aditya took up cycling as a leisurely activity. He was crossing a billboard in Begumpet, Hyderabad, where cycling was being promoted. With the help of his cousins, he promptly purchased a new bicycle.
He said, “When I took up cycling it was very difficult. I fell like 20 -25 times, injuring my leg and bleeding from my nose, because cycling with a prosthetic leg is very difficult. The leg is very heavy and makes the job more tedious. But over time I got used to it.”
Within a span of the next five years, he scaled greater heights. Apart from the Kashmir-Kanyakumari route, he completed the London-Paris connect (5300 kms, 9000 feet climb) and Manali to Khadung La, which is the highest motorable road (18380 feet) in the world.
Funding other para-athletes
In 2013, he setup the Aditya Mehta Foundation to streamline talent into the sport. Till date the organisation, has trained and supported 21 para-cyclists in India. He said, “When I started, I was the only one taking it seriously. The reason probably being people didn’t know. So in 2013, I setup this organisation. After my double silver, a lot of people came to know me, so I decided to use it to create awareness that there is a life after an accident such as mine. We started with 1-2 riders, now we are 21 strong.”
Aditya charts long distances within India’s landscape to garner funds and raise awareness about his NGO. Now, he faces his toughest challenge. Aditya achieved all his earlier mentioned feats with the help of his prosthetic leg. However, his most recent venture, the ‘Infinity ride’ will be without his prosthetic leg. The route covers a distance of 1450 kms, between Delhi and Mumbai.
He said, “I took this challenge up because I know I can gain more money. I have done this once before when I rode from Bengaluru-Hyderabad in 2012. I managed to garner around Rs 17 lakhs then. But this one is a higher distance, so it will be way more difficult.”
Aditya’s attempt to streamline para-athletes through his foundation has met with great success. They recently signed a deal with the Indian Border Security Force (BSF), to help train and motivate para-soldiers. Their main goal will be to direct them towards the world of sport.
He said, “I’m going to be honest here, I was never and out and out sportsperson. I didn’t even eat healthy before. But physical activity is very liberating for para-athletes. If I can win a silver at the Asian Championship anyone can. The army has a wealth of talent, who unfortunately get injured during combat. But that’s not the end for them. Their physical fitness and mental toughness can be put to use in the world of sport.”
On being asked about the expenses incurred for training athletes at such a large scale, Aditya confirmed that lack of sponsors is a problem. He said, “Yes it is bit of an issue, because if you see equipment for para-cyclists are expensive. Even costs such as travelling which are recurrent. For the 21 riders we have sponsored till now, we have helped them with all the different aspects I mentioned. We also make specialised prosthetic limbs for the riders.”
That being said, Aditya just doesn’t want to restrict himself to the sport of cycling. The deal with BSF will include streamlining of disabled soldiers to various sports. He said, “We need to slowly build our base of athletes. We already have some good ones, but we need set infrastructure and a route to the top. That is our aim.”
In terms of personal goals, Aditya now wants to start transitioning to triathlons. He added, “Hopeful to start training for that soon, after all these gruelling routes. I am ready for any challenge in life!”
