Malathi Krishnamurthy Holla is a celebrated Indian para-athlete, with lots of fame in wheelchair racing and immense grit in adversity.
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Early Life and Challenges
Born on 6th July, 1958, in Bengaluru, Karnataka, Malathi was stricken with polio at the age of one and it paralysed her whole body. Through two years of electric shock treatment, she developed muscle strength in the upper half of her body but not in the lower half of her body. Malathi accumulated more than 30 surgeries, but determination led her to go for sport as a way of overcoming physical disability.
Athletic Achievements
Malathi’s illustrious career in para-athletics includes participation in multiple international events:
• Paralympic Games: Represented India in Seoul (1988), Barcelona (1992), Athens (2004), and Beijing (2008).
• Asian Games: Competed in Beijing, Bangkok, South Korea, and Kuala Lumpur.
• World Masters: Participated in events held in Denmark and Australia.
• Commonwealth Games: Competed in Australia.
• Open Championships: Took part in competitions in Belgium, Kuala Lumpur, and England.
She has, throughout her life, won an exemplary number of medals:
•Over 389 Gold medals
•27 Silver medals
•5 Bronze medals.
Awards and Appreciation
Malathi was honored for her sports activities some of the world’s best awards:
• Arjuna Award: Honored in 1995 on merit basis of national sports service.
• Padma Shri: Honored in 2001 for appreciation to her merit in sport service.
Professional Works and Charity
Besides sports, Malathi is also a manager in Syndicate Bank. Showing her dedication to social work, she co-founded the Mathru Foundation, a charitable trust that educates and takes care of disabled children with special attention to the victims of polio in rural India.
Literary Contribution
Malathi published her official biography A Different Spirit in 2009, which provided a glimpse into her life and problems faced by her.
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Net Worth
Malathi Krishnamurthy Holla’s net worth in 2025 is around $1.03 million, estimated from her income from her banking career, sport career, and charitable work.
Malathi Krishnamurthy Holla’s life story is an inspiration of human determination and will that would inspire many to overcome their own adversity.
