Did Diksha Dagar Just Make History by Securing Her Second Gold at the Deaflympics?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Diksha Dagar secured her second consecutive gold at the Deaflympics.
- She achieved a remarkable 14-stroke victory margin.
- Diksha is the only hearing-impaired golfer to compete in both Deaflympics and Olympics.
- She expressed gratitude towards her support system, including SAI and IGU.
- Her achievements inspire future generations of golfers.
Tokyo (Japan), Nov 20 (NationPress) Indian golfer Diksha Dagar achieved a remarkable milestone on Thursday by successfully defending her gold medal at the 25th Summer Deaflympics held in Tokyo, Japan. She delivered impressive rounds of 68, 65, and 72 at the par-72 Wakasu Golf Links, clinching victory by an astounding 14-stroke lead in the women's individual strokeplay event.
Diksha, who previously earned gold at the 2021 Deaflympics and silver at the 2017 Games, finished with a three-day aggregate of 11-under 205. Margaux Rezo from France took second place with an overall score of three-over 219, followed closely by Canada’s Erica Dawn Rivard, who finished at five-over 221.
The 24-year-old Diksha is recognized as the only hearing-impaired player globally to represent India in both the Deaflympics and the Olympic Games. She has competed on behalf of India at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics.
Her fellow countryman Harsh Singh ended his campaign in solo 12th place with a total of 22-over 238, while Vibhu Tyagi tied for 14th with an overall score of 24-over 240.
“I am incredibly thrilled to have won consecutive gold medals at the Deaflympics. The competition intensifies each year. Competing against athletes from 20 different nations was challenging. I adhered to my strategy – aiming at the flags on par-5s and concentrating on my short game and approach shots,” remarked Diksha as quoted by IGU Media.
She expressed gratitude towards the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Indian Golf Union for their unwavering support throughout her journey. “I am also thankful to my sponsors, the Ladies European Tour (LET) and the Women’s Golf Association of India, for equipping me with the necessary experience to handle tough competition,” stated the athlete associated with Target Asian Games Group (TAGG).
Congratulating Diksha on her extraordinary achievement, IGU president Brijinder Singh stated: “On behalf of the Indian Golf Union, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Diksha Dagar for her historic gold at the 25th Summer Deaflympic Games in Japan. This is a moment of pride for our entire nation. What Diksha has accomplished is unparalleled; she is the only golfer on the planet to have participated in both the Olympics and Deaflympics. Best wishes for her future pursuits!”
IGU Honorary Secretary Shashank Sandu commented, “Diksha is a product of the IGU system. We at IGU strive to provide exceptional exposure and platforms for our talented youngsters to shine on both national and international stages, and we will continue to do so. Congratulations to Diksha on her outstanding achievement. You will inspire more girls to pursue golf as a career and elevate the nation's prestige.”