Page 8 - BPCL Magazine_Vol 2_Issue 2_April May June_2025

COVER STORY

Cover Story

The trials and triumphs of

Joby Mathew

His story is one PT periods, longing to be part of the That changed in 2005, when South
world he loved—sports. The turning Indian actor Sarath Kumar sponsored
of a champion point came in sixth standard, when Joby’s trip to Japan. There, he won
extraordinaire: not just a friend introduced him to arm- three world medals in his very first
wrestling—a game that required international outing, putting India
of sports, but of the
no legs, only strength. As he trained on the global arm-wrestling map. In
human spirit. How it informally, he discovered something 2008, Joby joined Bharat Petroleum
can overcome all odds powerful: his arms were exceptionally Corporation Limited
strong. (BPCL) in
to triumph, again and Kochi—not
The Long Road to Recognition
again through
After completing school, Joby decided a para
BPCL didn’t hire me out of to take his passion seriously. Despite quota,
sympathy. They hired me for discouragement from gym trainers, b u t
my ability. That’s why I’ll give who were worried his condition in the
made training unsafe, he convinced general
them my best—till my last
them to let him watch. For a month, sports
breath.” In that one line, Joby
he studied weight training in silence. category,
Mathew captures the essence Then, in 1993, he picked up two 2-kg making
of his journey—not just as a dumbbells. And he has never looked him the first
decorated athlete, but as a back since then. By 1994, Joby was p hy si c al ly
man who has redefined the the state arm-wrestling champion.
Over the next 10 years (1994–2004),
boundaries of possibility.
he became a ten-time national
These words by Joby Mathew,
champion, competing not
one of India’s most inspiring in para categories,
para-athletes, encapsulate but in the open,
the spirit of a man who turned able-bodied
disability into destiny. A world category—a
feat few dared,
champion, a motivational
and none
icon—his story is not just
matched.
about sporting excellence,
Yet, financial
but about breaking barriers
support
that most don’t even see. was scarce.
Despite
Born to Rise
qualifying
Born in 1976 in the remote village of
for multiple
Adukkam, in eastern Kerala, his life
world
began in the shadow of struggle.
Diagnosed with 60% disability in both
legs, he was often excluded from
childhood play. While other children
championships,
ran freely, he watched from the
the lack of sponsorship kept him
sidelines, sitting in classrooms during
from competing internationally.
8 | Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited