A Story of Courage: Specially-Abled 14-Year-Old Khushboo Jan Makes History With Solo 400m Run at UT-Level Athletic Meet
Shah Basit
Ganderbal, Nov 24: In a truly inspiring moment at the UT-Level Athletic Meet held at the Government College of Physical Education (GCOPE), Gadoora Ganderbal, 14-year-old Khushboo Jan, a specially-abled student, created history by completing a solo 400-metre run — a feat that moved everyone present and left the stadium echoing with applause.
Overwhelmed by the electrifying atmosphere, Khushboo spontaneously stepped onto the track and ran the entire 400 meters alone, demonstrating extraordinary courage, determination, and an unbreakable spirit.
“Everyone was supporting me, saying that I would definitely achieve something,” Khushboo said after the run, her voice trembling with emotion. “This 400-metre race may not mean much to ordinary people, but for me it means a lot. I faced many difficulties. Some people laughed and said I wouldn’t be able to do anything. But because of them, I became motivated — and I completed this race. I still can’t believe I actually finished it.”
Khushboo dreams of continuing sports and proving that disability does not limit possibility.“My message for those who are physically challenged like me is: Don’t be afraid. Move forward. If you are scared, you won’t achieve anything.”
When asked about his daughter’s journey, her father, Ghulam Mohammad Najar, paused before speaking, his voice filled with emotion.
“She was just 17 months old,” he recalled, closing his eyes as if revisiting a wound. “She wasn’t born disabled. She fell from a window — twelve feet down. Her head hit the ground. Neighbours rushed her to the hospital. The doctor told me there was no chance… that she wouldn’t survive.”
“But I told him, if there is even one option, don’t waste it. I stayed in the surgical ICU for a month. Every day the doctors said there was no improvement. But every day I said, ‘Try again.’”
Today, watching his daughter run a race many believed was impossible, he says he sees a miracle born from struggle, pain, and hope.
Khushboo’s achievement is more than a sporting moment — it is a message of strength for every child battling physical limitations, and a reminder that dreams are not defined by disability, but by courage.
Her run was not about winning a medal. It was about winning respect, hearts, and belief — in herself and in the limitless power of determination.
Khushboo’s solo 400-metre run stands as a beacon of inspiration, proving that where there is will, there is always a way.
In a world quick to judge limitations, she has shown what it means to rise beyond them.
