DATTAPRASAD JOTIRAM CHOUGULE is one of the most Favourite para table tennis players of India, in the modern era. He was born on 02 March 1997 in a middle-class family of Jotiram and Rekha, in a small village of Maharastra state Gadhinglaj Taluka Kadgaon Village.
Unfortunately, He was affected by polio on the right-hand side in 1997, since then life became very tough but his parents and his Mama (uncle) Appasaheb Punde are his real heroes the pillars and supporters of his life. He completed his schooling and college education at his native Akol and Devachand College Nippani.
After joining High School his friends and teachers kept motivating him to participate in School events. He started his sports career with his first Table tennis coach Mr. Santosh Basarge at high school and participated in the first inter-school tournament at Chikkaballapur Karnataka.
After completing college he started taking coaching at Kolhapur under the guidance of Coach Miss. Shaileja Salokhe, an Arjun awardee. For the last few years, he has been training at CHECKMATE table tennis club Bengaluru under coach Mr Dinesh Jayabalakrishnan. He is an International coach. (Mr Dinesh is not only a coach he supports all the PARA TABLE TENNIS players)
NATIONAL EVENTS:
His sport journey started with the 2017 National Championship wherein he won One silver medal. As of now, he played 7 national championships with two selection trials. Won many National championships and got many glorious to our state Maharastra.
INTERNATIONAL EVENTS:
His international journey started in Alwatani Champ Amman Jordan and he got,
Silver medal at the 2023 Brazil Open.
2 Bronze medals at the 2023 SPAIN OPEN.
1 Bronze medal at EGYPT OPEN.
1 Gold Medal in SQY FRENCH OPEN.
1 GOLD MEDAL in Alwatani champ Jordan.
As of now, he has played 08 International events and he is going to participate in 2 International events in July month at TAIPEI & TAIWAN ITTF PTT event.
His current world rank is 33 in singles. 28 in doubles. 08 in mixed doubles and Number 1 in nationals. This all happened only because of his supporting family, his Mama (uncle), all his coaches and his friends.
Lastly, he wants to conclude by adding
"As long as you work hard, nothing can stop you from gaining your aim. With each step, you go ahead to achieve your goal, just be confident. Have faith in yourself, trust the process and you will win the race.”