Bengaluru, Karnataka, April 14, 2025 — Kolkata-based Uday Kumar, a contractual worker, has emerged as a symbol of resilience after a life-altering accident during the Durga Puja holidays of 2015. What began as a simple act of washing his face in a train compartment tragically resulted in a fall, leading to the amputation of his left leg.
“I went to wash my face in the basin in the reservation compartment of the train. The basin overflowed with water, and I fell from the platform. I fell in the bogie, and I don’t know how my leg slipped, but I fell out of the train onto the platform, and my leg was badly sprained. I had to be taken to the hospital for surgery, and the doctors declared that I was 91% disabled. I am disabled, but I consider myself to be 91% abled,” Uday shared.
Instead of succumbing to his fate, Uday embraced a different narrative—one of determination and resilience. This pivotal moment ignited his desire to prove his own strength, and he found his calling in marathons. Since then, he has conquered over 80 races across 16 states, transforming his perceived limitation into a source of immense strength.
His journey began in 2017 with a 5 km race in Kolkata, an experience that sparked his love for running. As his passion for running grew, Uday embraced the challenge of mountaineering, scaling formidable peaks and earning the prestigious Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award.
Uday’s impressive feats include climbing Kanchenjunga at an altitude of 16,500 feet and conquering Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa. He also made history by becoming the first Indian to unfurl the national flag in water, land, and air, having completed skydiving and scuba diving in the open water of 35 feet.
Despite these extraordinary achievements, Uday remains grounded, with his sights now set on an exciting new challenge. He is eagerly preparing for the TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2025 on April 27, marking his second time running in the city. His first experience in Bengaluru, during Virat Kohli’s One8 Run, saw Uday achieve a personal best of 1 hour and 35 minutes. This year, he is determined to break his previous record, aiming to finish the race in 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Uday Kumar is not just an athlete; he is a beacon of hope, embodying the boundless power of human will. He has refused to let his disability define him, and instead, has redefined what it means to be able. As he prepares to take on the World 10K Bengaluru, Uday’s journey sends a profound message: the only limits we truly have are the ones we place upon ourselves.
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