Nagpur: Known widely as “One Leg Wonder,” this youth of Orange City not only overcome his disability but achieved new heights. With his outstanding feats, Ashok Munne has eloquently proved the saying “Where there’s will, there is way” in true sense of words.
Now, yet another milestone to cross, this ‘One Leg Wonder’ would be displaying his skills by participating in ‘Lokmat Marathon’ to be held on February 11, 2018.
As destiny would have been, Ashok Munne lost his right leg in a railway accident in 2009. He had to bear the trauma for one full year as he was bed ridden mainly due to flawed surgery. But after implantation or attachment of artificial leg at Pune in 2012, Ashok’s life started to change, for better. With the dream to become a ‘hero,’ he showed the world that he is not a ‘poor’ soul with his disability. What followed was outstanding feat after feat.
Talking about the ‘Lokmat Marathon,’ the 33-year old Ashok Munne says, “Lokmat is taking a lead in organising a grand marathon. It is good news. The event will inspire many a racer. I had participated in many Lokmat events in the past. This event will also prove to a grand success.”
Munne had recently participated in Kochi Marathon. Earlier, he had bagged an award in the 22-km Satara Hills Marathon held in 2013. Talking on his disability, Ashok says, “One should not make noise over his or her disability. If you have determination and courage, you could defeat the flaw more ways than one. With determination, he or she can run miles irrespective of disability,” Ashok asserted.
“I am originally a mountaineer. I tried to conquer Mt Everest from Chinese side but had to abandon the mission unfortunately just short of 350 metres. But the failure did not deter me. Thereafter, I displayed by skills in other sporting events with aplomb.
Notably, the “One Leg Wonder” Ashok Munne turned out to be the first person to successfully traverse the highest road in the world – Khardung La (18,380 feet), a mountain pass in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashnir – riding a motorcycle. He daily swims 3-4 kilometres as well as practices martial art and yoga regularly.
“I have started practice for the Nagpur Marathon. Earlier, I used to run 3-km in the morning. But with the announcement of the event, two more kilometres have been added to the practice,” Ashok Munne said with confidence-brimming face.
