The qualifying event took place at the 1st National Para Road Cycling Championship 2025, organized by the Telangana Cycling Association in Hyderabad
New Delhi, India, April 09, 2025 – Huafrid Billimoria, a Mumbai-based para-athlete and para-cyclist, has made history by becoming the first Indian para-sportsperson to qualify for international representation in both para-triathlon and para-cycling events. The qualifying event took place at the 1st National Para Road Cycling Championship 2025, organized by the Telangana Cycling Association in Hyderabad. Competing in the MC 5 (Men) – Road Individual Time Trial (Senior Men 2) category — widely considered the toughest classification in para-cycling, due to it comprising athletes with the least level of disability and the highest performance expectations Huafrid secured a commendable second-place finish. The race was conducted under challenging conditions, with temperatures soaring above 42 degrees Celsius and an unexpected delay pushing the start time to 1 PM.
Billimoria’s journey to this achievement is particularly inspiring, given his health challenges in 2024. He was bedridden for most of the year due to a rare autoimmune disorder and had only four months of training leading up to this event, which included relearning to walk and just one month focused on cycling. Despite these obstacles, his determination and rigorous training regimen propelled him to this significant accomplishment.
Reflecting on the race, Huafrid Billimoria stated, “Securing the opportunity to represent India internationally in both para-triathlon and para-cycling is a profound honor. This journey has been marked by intense challenges, from battling a rare autoimmune disorder to training under extreme conditions. These experiences have only strengthened my resolve to push boundaries and redefine possibilities in para-sports and I look ahead to international competitions and the dream of qualifying for the Paralympics”
This achievement not only marks a personal victory for Huafrid Billimoria but also represents a significant advancement for para-sports in India. His qualification opens the door for potential participation in the Paralympics for both triathlon and cycling.
As he sets his sights on international competitions, Huafrid seeks long-term sponsorship and support from corporations to continue his training and represent India on the global stage. His dedication to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through sports remains steadfast, as he passionately states, “I live to die another day for diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
