Paralympic silver medallist Girisha gets his first corporate sponsorship
With stars like Virat Kohli, Saina Nehwal and Mary Kom already associated with the brand, Girisha now finds himself in elite company.
India's Paralympic silver medallist HN Girisha has got his first corporate sponsorship in the form of nutrition company Herbalife. Girisha, who won silver at the high jump event at last year's Paralympics has been signed on as the company's brand ambassador.
Cricketer Virat Kohli, Olympic bronze medallists MC Mary Kom and Saina Nehwal are the Indian athletes that Herbalife have on board.
Girisha Hosanagara Nagarajegowda gave India its first medal at the Paralympic Games 2012 after bagging a silver in the Men's High Jump F42 event.
The 24-year old from Karnataka, who has an impairment in his left leg, sailed over a height of 1.74m using scissors technique in the final of the event to finish second in the presence of an 80,000 capacity crowd.
Girisha, who is supported by Samarthanam, a Bangalore-based NGO for the disabled since 2008, took part in a three week long pre-Olympic training camp at Basildon Sporting Village sponsored by the Government of India.
Even Sachin Tendulkar had described the London Paralympic Games silver-medallist as an "inspiration to all of us" and wished the high-jumper the very best for all his future endeavours.
"It was wonderful speaking to Girisha. He is an inspiration to all of us. I wish him all the very best for coming years," Tendulkar wrote on his Facebook page in September 2012.
India's lone medallist at the Games, Girisha had also received a phone call from the veteran cricketer.
"Sachin called me up last evening and I was very happy when he said I have become an inspiration for many people," the para athlete had told PTI back then.
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