Mansooruddin faridi

If you are mentally strong, no disability can become a barrier.

This is what Abdulqadir Indorewala, an armless para-swimmer who is set to represent India at the Para Asian Games 2026 in Japan this month, says. The games are scheduled from October 18–24, 2026, in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.

The event will see around 3,600 to 4,000 athletes from 45 countries vying for medals.

Abdulqadir lost both his arms at the age of seven in an electric shock. Yet he reconciled to his loss, and over time won 23 gold and 3 silver medals at national events.

 Abdulqadir Indorewale wearing his medals

Right now, Abdulqadir Indorewala is training rigorously at the Sports Authority of India’s facility at Ahmedabad.

Speaking to Awaz-The Voice, Abdulqadir, who belongs to the Dawoodi Bohra community, says that a powerful mindset saved him from drowning in despair. His habit of never giving up gave him a new direction.

As a result, a life that once seemed difficult without arms has now become normal for him.

For Abdulqadir, who hails from the city of Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh, the swimming pool became the field where he would race against life. Through courage, determination, passion and hard work, he pushed himself beyond the limitations imposed by his disability.

His father, Hussain Indorewala, played an important role in this journey of struggle and achievement. After the surgery, he ensured that his son did not fall into despair.

 Abdulqadir wearing his medals at Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai

Recalling the shocking incident, Abdulqadirulqadir Indorewala said he received an electric shock of 10,000 volts in 2014 at his maternal grandfather’s house in Bhopal. Both his hands were severely burnt in the accident, and doctors had to amputate his arms to prevent infection from spreading to other parts of his body.

He was only seven years old at the time. Darkness seemed to surround his life, and despair began to take hold of him. However, encouragement and support from his family played an important role in turning that darkness into light.

After the horrific accident, the biggest initial challenge for young Abdulqadir was to relearn his everyday activities. Writing was particularly important for his education. He began practising writing with his feet.

He learned to write with his feet in six months.

His father, Hussain Indorewala, told Awaz-the Voice that he promised himself never to let his son feel inferior. He never treated Abdulqadir as helpless. Whenever someone looked at him with pity, he would chide them.

This positive approach became Abdulqadir’s greatest strength. Abdulqadir says that he was never afraid. His parents’ belief that he could achieve anything in life gave him strength.

Abdulqadir inside the pool and with his medals

Hussain runs a paint and hardware business in Ratlam City, where his family has been living for 35 years. He admits that after the accident he felt his son’s life had come to an end.

But the family was not alone during that difficult period. Friends, neighbours and school authorities encouraged Hussain and his family. They supported Abdulqadir in his education and swimming.

The principal of Abdulqadir’s school also visited his home and assured his parents that the school would take full responsibility for his education and help him continue his studies up to Class 12.

During this period, the family came across pictures of para-sports on social media. They saw children with disabilities winning medals. Hussain felt that a new path could perhaps be created for his son. That was when the decision was taken to introduce Abdulqadir to swimming. He soon began proving his ability.

According to Abdulqadir, another person played a crucial role in this new beginning. That person was his coach Raja Rathore, who offered to teach him how to swim.

Initially, the purpose of swimming was rehabilitation and physical improvement. But soon the coach and his parents realised that Abdulqadir possessed exceptional talent.

His coach. Raja Rathore, began training Abdulqadir without charging fees. He continues to train him on a non-commercial basis to date

 Abdulqadir coming out of the pool

Abdulqadir devoted all his energy to swimming. Maintaining body balance in water and regulating his breathing, and yet swimming at the required speed were major challenges for him. Within a year, this young paraswimmer was winning medals at the Belgaum Para National Games.

Abdulqadir also represented India at the Asian Youth Para Games 2025 in Dubai, where he won 3 gold and 1 bronze medal.

He also represented India at the World Para Swimming Championships 2025, where he competed against some of the world’s finest para swimmers and demonstrated his ability.

He spends several hours training in the swimming pool every morning and evening. He says that his journey has only just begun and his eyes are set on the Paralympic Games.

His father, Hussain Indorewala, says that Abdulqadir’s success is certainly the result of his own struggle. But he also credits the prayers and support of many people.

Abdulqadir has been blessed by the Dawoodi Bohra community’s spiritual leader Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin. The community also bears all expenses of his training.

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Abdulqadir is a second-year BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) student. Told Awaz-The Voice that no disability can become a barrier. “One should never give up. Continuous hard work must remain a priority. Discipline is also an important part of life, and without it, life remains incomplete.”