Jafreen Shaik

Shaik Jafreen

Born	(1997-09-07) 7 September 1997 (age 27) Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India
Plays	right-handed
Medal record Women's tennis Representing  India Deaflympics 2017 Samsun mixed doubles

Shaik Jafreen (born 7 September 1997) is a deaf Indian tennis player.[1] She represented India at the Deaflympics in 2013 and 2017.[2] She claimed a bronze medal in the mixed doubles at the 2017 Summer Deaflympics partnering with Prithvi Sekhar.[3][4][5]

Career

Jafreen started playing tennis when she was just eight years old. She went on to become a formidable tennis player despite being deaf, after being noticed by India's best female tennis player, Sania Mirza, and gaining assistance from her,[6][7] receiving training at the Sania Mirza Tennis Academy which is located in Hyderabad.[8][9]

She went on to represent India at the 2013 Summer Deaflympics which was also her first Deaflympic appearance. As in the as of Prithvi Sekhar, she did not win a medal in her debut Deaflympic event. She was chosen to compete for India at the 2017 Summer Deaflympics as India sent a delegation consisting of 46 participants for the multi-sport event, the largest number of athletes sent by India to a single Summer Deaflympics.[10] Jafreen along with Prithvi Sekhar won a historical bronze medal in the mixed doubles at the 2017 Summer Deaflympics, marking India's first ever Deaflympic medal in tennis.[11][12]

Awards and recognition

Jafreen received the Jury Special Recognition in Sports at the Sakshi Excellence Awards 2017.[13]

In 2021, she was honored with the national award for sporting excellence by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, being recognized as the best sportsperson with a disability (hearing impaired).[14]

In accordance with its sports policy of offering Group-1 posts to international sportspersons, the Andhra Pradesh government extended a government job offer to Jafreen in November 2023.[15]

References

1. "ITF Profile of Jafreen Shaik". www.itftennis.com. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
2. "Jafreen Shaik | Deaflympics". www.deaflympics.com. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
3. Krishnan, Vivek (4 August 2017). "Prithvi Sekhar defies odds for Deaflympics bronze". The Times of India. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
4. "Deaflympics 2017 Samsun". www.deaflympics2017.org (in Turkish). Retrieved 3 February 2018.
5. "Prithvi Sekhar defies odds for Deaflympics bronze". article.wn.com. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
6. Subrahmanyam, V. v (15 June 2017). "Jafreen determined to scale new heights". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
7. "Jafreen to lead India in Deaf Olympics". The Hans India. 13 June 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
8. Nellore, Sujayendra Krishna. "The Incredible Shaik Jafreen | The Deaf International Tennis Star". www.stumagz.com. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
9. "Shaik Jafreen is ready to take on the world". Deccan Chronicle. 25 May 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
10. https://www.pressreader.com/india/the-hindu/20170725/282578788107366. Retrieved 3 February 2018 – via PressReader. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
11. Bureau, Sports; Bureau, Sports (28 July 2017). "Bronze for Prithvi and Jafreen". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 3 February 2018. {{cite news}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
12. "Bringing home the laurels". Deccan Chronicle. 3 August 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
13. "Sakshi Excellence Awards 2017: Outstanding Personalities". Sakshi Post. 12 August 2018. Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
14. Sudhakar, K. Madhu (4 November 2021). "2022 Deaflympics: Andhra tennis player Shaik Jafreen looks for sponsors to realise her dream". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
15. "AP offers Deaf Olympics champ Group-1 post". Deccan Chronicle. 4 November 2023. Archived from the original on 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.

External links

• Jafreen Shaik at the International Tennis Federation
• Jafreen Shaik Jafreen at the Women's Tennis Association
• Shaik Jafreen Jafreen at TennisExplorer
• Jafreen Shaik Jafreen at CoreTennis