13 September 2016, Rio de Janeiro: Competing in her very first Paralympics, Deepa produced a stunning display to claim Silver medal in Women's Shot Put F53 with a personal best throw of 4.61m. World No. 1 Fatema Nedham from Bahrain claimed Gold with an effort of 4.76m while Dimitra Korokida of Greece took home the bronze with 4.28m.
After being felicitated with the Arjuna Award in 2012 and having won a Para Asian Games medal in 2014, Deepa began working towards the Paralympics, as the pinnacle of sporting achievement. After her latest achievement, an ecstatic Deepa said "It feels incredible to fulfil a lifelong ambition. My preparations were really good and I improved tremendously this year. I gave my personal best at the Trials in July and furthered that here now in Rio. It is an extremely satisfying feeling and a big thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years. This is our third medal now in Rio and I sincerely hope people back home wake up and acknowledge the potential in Para sports in India."
A mother of two and the wife of an army officer, Deepa was diagnosed with spinal tumour which confined her to a wheelchair in her early thirties. But despite her life changing experience, Deepa saw sport as a medium to channel her energies and how. Apart from competing in Shot Put and Javelin Throw, Deepa is also a passionate biker and a motivational speaker. A true inspiration for differently-abled women across the country.
File Photo of Deepa Malik