They survived mine blasts. Now, Armymen Soman Rana and Pardeep Rana are World Championship medallists

Then a sepoy in 2/8 Gorkha rifles, Soman Rana lost his right leg in a landmine blast in the Poonch sector in 2006. Thirteen years later, rifleman Pardeep Kumar lost his left leg during a routine patrolling duty in Srinagar.

In the last two days, the Armymen overcame personal setbacks and enjoyed their moment in the spotlight at the World Para Athletics Championships here.

On Friday, Pardeep created history by becoming the first-ever Army para athlete to win a medal – a bronze – at the World Championships. Twenty-four hours later, Soman won a silver medal in the men’s shot put F57.

This is the first-ever global medal for 42-year-old Soman, who finished fourth at the 2024 Paris Paralympics and won a silver medal at the 2022 Asian Para Games. He hurled the shot put to a distance of 14.69m