The journey of Dr Deepshikha Beniwal — a small-town woman from Haryana who attained an international stature in sports by virtue of her grit and determination — is an inspiring one.
Deepshikha, who belongs to Safipur village in the Beri subdivision of Jhajjar district, started her career as a physiotherapist and is now a Paracanoe Classifier with the International Canoe Federation, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)-certified sports diplomat, assistant professor and sports rehabilitation expert.
What is a paracanoe classifier
A paracanoe classifier is a specialised official (either a certified medical professional or a technical expert in canoeing) who evaluates athletes with physical impairments.
Deepshikha recently began her tenure as a Member of the Asian Canoe Confederation Paracanoe Committee, a role which allows her to ensure inclusivity by elevating the profile of paracanoe across the continent, empower women leaders in specialised sports governance and strengthen India’s voice in the international sports policy.
It is indeed a dream come true for a young woman coming from a humble background without any considerable facilities or support, rather replete with obstacles and challenges. Her father Surender Singh Beniwal, an upper-division clerk at a Kendriya Vidyalaya in Jhajjar, passed away when she was 11.
The loss of the sole breadwinner was devastating for the family, with his family pension being the only source of income.
But as they say, when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
“After my father passed away, my mother had two options — to resign to her fate and stay in the basic survival mode, or rise from her ashes like the phoenix — and she chose the latter,” Deepshikha said while talking to The Tribune.
It was primarily the never-say-die spirit infused by her mother Rajwanti Beniwal that enabled Deepshikha to attain such great heights.
“My mother did not ask us to survive. She dared us to soar high. Her sacrifice and struggle taught us that life owes us nothing — and demands everything. I also learnt that our limits exist only until we refuse to accept them,” observes Deepshikha.
Hence, when paracanoe called, she answered — stepping into an arena dominated by men and largely closed to voices like hers. Undeterred, she rose through relentless study and clinical mastery to become the first Asian woman to earn the designation of ICF Paracanoe Medical Classifier.
She also founded Shakti-Sport 2026 and the Mother-Lane Legacy.
As of now, Deepshikha is focusing on the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games — not as a distant fantasy, but as a rightful destination for India’s para-athletes and the women serving as classifiers, coaches and sports administrators. “I want the girl growing up in the next small town to know that a seat at the table is waiting for her that her background is not a barrier; it is her greatest credential,” she asserts.