The Moradabad athlete has won 27 national and 10 international medals and recently clinched gold at the 1st UTT Para National Ranking Table Tennis Championship 2026-27 in Indore. NEW DELHI: A three-inch difference in his leg lengths, persistent back pain and other physical problems have forced 29-year-old Kunal Arora to cut his table tennis training by more than half. Yet, the thalassemia major patient and international para table tennis player is set to leave for Finland on August 26 with the Indian team, even as doctors have advised him to get a prosthetic extension to improve his alignment and mobility.The Moradabad athlete has won 27 national and 10 international medals and recently clinched gold at the 1st UTT Para National Ranking Table Tennis Championship 2026-27 in Indore.Arora will also be felicitated on Sunday by the Thalassemia Patients Advocacy Group (TPAG), in collaboration with Thalassemics India, at an event in New Delhi honouring thalassemia patients for their achievements and resilience.Diagnosed with thalassemia major at birth, Arora said severe iron overload led to two major leg surgeries in 2010. The difference developed gradually as he grew after the surgeries, leaving his left leg around three to four inches shorter than the right.A July 22 prescription records a three-inch left-side limb-length discrepancy and recommends an extension prosthesis with an Axion carbon-fibre foot and laminated socket. Arora said the imbalance has caused spinal curvature, persistent back pain and mobility problems, with doctors recommending the device to improve alignment and daily mobility. He said it would also help during training, though it is unclear if he can wear it in competitions. The prosthesis is estimated to cost Rs 2,66,910 including GST, which his family cannot afford.“My father is a small businessman and my mother is a homemaker. I completed my graduation from Delhi University in 2021 and I am continuing with table tennis. I also help my father with his business whenever he needs me,” Kunal told TOI.The physical problems have cut his training from 7-8 hours in two sessions to about 2.5-3.5 hours in one session. “The difference in my leg length causes pain and affects my daily activities as well as my training. I am now hoping for support to get the prosthetic extension, which costs around Rs 2.7 lakh. Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesI want to continue playing for India and need this support to manage my mobility and training,” he said.Arora has represented India internationally since 2014 and is seeking sponsorship for international tournaments, which he says would help him compete more frequently and work towards the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and Paralympic Games. For now, he is managing without the prosthesis and plans to give his measurements in the first or second week of September. The device is expected to take about a month to prepare.“Life gave me thalassemia major, but also a choice: to be defined by my diagnosis or my determination. I chose the paddle,” Arora said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorAnuja JaiswalAnuja Jaiswal is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, with an impressive 18-year career in narrative journalism. She specializes in health and heritage reporting, expertly simplifying complex health information to make it engaging and understandable for readers. Her deep dives into heritage topics are well-researched, resulting in captivating narratives that resonate with her audience. Over the years, she has worked in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh and West UP, gaining diverse on-ground experience that shapes her storytelling.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosChennai Murder Mystery: Woman’s Remains Found on Tamil Nadu Express, Police Hunt Couple in Odisha’No Full Press Conference’: US Envoy Gor On India’s ‘No Questions’ Request Before Modi-Trump Meet‘Represented India In 3 Nations’: Former Envoy Flags ‘Trouble Establishing Citizenship’ During SIRJaish Rebuilds Bahawalpur Complex Struck By India During Op Sindoor’India Can Attract Global Talent With Your Help’: PM Modi Meets Space Startups On National Space DayDelhi Cops Attacked With Chilli Powder & Bricks In Mukundpur; 17-Year-Old Arrested‘Plan To Meet Vance, Mamdani’: Why MEA Denied Permission For Telangana CM Revanth Reddy’s US Trip?’No Problem When Boys Do It’: Rahul Gandhi’s Attack At PM Modi Over Jantar Mantar AbuseYoutuber Ajeet Bharti Lists 4 Big Demands At Jantar Mantar, Calls For Reservation Reform And MeritPM Modi Meets BJP’s New Team At Delhi HQ As Party Pushes Vande Mataram Legacy Nationwide123PhotostoriesNauvari to Coorg style: Practical saree drapes that turned India’s traditional six yards of grace into comfortable workwear10 traditional Maharashtrian breakfast dishes for a flavourful start5 Indian bridal fabrics that were once considered more auspicious than silkThin hair looking flat? Try these hairstyles for instant volume6 subtle signs you’re being taken for granted by your partner10 baby names inspired by Sanskrit words that signify success and prosperityYour body after 40: 10 changes doctor says you should never dismiss as “just ageing”5 signs you’re losing yourself while trying to save your relationshipThe slow fade: 5 signs someone you love is pulling away5 best hair colours for Indian skin tones that instantly brighten your look123Hot PicksTCS laptop monitoring softwareSchool holiday todayKPMG AustraliaTrump tariffIOB LBO recruitmentNEET UG 2026US-Canada tradeSIM card rulesBank holiday todayTop TrendingNBA Trade RumorReservation Hatao AndolanLucknow Double Murder SuicideMadhapur Road AccidentMaharashtra Hill TragedyAbhijeet DipkeJharkhand Factory FireRahul GandhiBengaluru RapidoAston Martin Crash
NEW DELHI: A three-inch difference in his leg lengths, persistent back pain and other physical problems have forced 29-year-old Kunal Arora to cut his table tennis training by more than half. Yet, the thalassemia major patient and international para table tennis player is set to leave for Finland on August 26 with the Indian team, even as doctors have advised him to get a prosthetic extension to improve his alignment and mobility.The Moradabad athlete has won 27 national and 10 international medals and recently clinched gold at the 1st UTT Para National Ranking Table Tennis Championship 2026-27 in Indore.Arora will also be felicitated on Sunday by the Thalassemia Patients Advocacy Group (TPAG), in collaboration with Thalassemics India, at an event in New Delhi honouring thalassemia patients for their achievements and resilience.Diagnosed with thalassemia major at birth, Arora said severe iron overload led to two major leg surgeries in 2010. The difference developed gradually as he grew after the surgeries, leaving his left leg around three to four inches shorter than the right.A July 22 prescription records a three-inch left-side limb-length discrepancy and recommends an extension prosthesis with an Axion carbon-fibre foot and laminated socket. Arora said the imbalance has caused spinal curvature, persistent back pain and mobility problems, with doctors recommending the device to improve alignment and daily mobility. He said it would also help during training, though it is unclear if he can wear it in competitions. The prosthesis is estimated to cost Rs 2,66,910 including GST, which his family cannot afford.“My father is a small businessman and my mother is a homemaker. I completed my graduation from Delhi University in 2021 and I am continuing with table tennis. I also help my father with his business whenever he needs me,” Kunal told TOI.The physical problems have cut his training from 7-8 hours in two sessions to about 2.5-3.5 hours in one session. “The difference in my leg length causes pain and affects my daily activities as well as my training. I am now hoping for support to get the prosthetic extension, which costs around Rs 2.7 lakh.
Share your thoughts in the comments
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
I want to continue playing for India and need this support to manage my mobility and training,” he said.Arora has represented India internationally since 2014 and is seeking sponsorship for international tournaments, which he says would help him compete more frequently and work towards the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and Paralympic Games. For now, he is managing without the prosthesis and plans to give his measurements in the first or second week of September. The device is expected to take about a month to prepare.“Life gave me thalassemia major, but also a choice: to be defined by my diagnosis or my determination. I chose the paddle,” Arora said.
