Bangalore, July 9 - She was only one year old when polio inflicted Malathi K Holla and she became wheelchair-bound for her entire life. But, that has not deterred her from becoming an athlete of repute with 300 international and national-level medals, including a Paralympics gold medal.

The Paralympic Games are a multi-sport event for athletes with physical and visual disabilities.

Now the inspiring life of Malathi, who in spite of all odds fought bravely like a true-blued 'brave-heart' and became a champion, has been captured in a book.

'A Different Spirit' is the title of the biography on Malathi, written by senior journalist and CorpCom Head of Hindustan Aeronauticals Limited Anantha Krishnan M.

The book was released here Wednesday by former Indian cricketer Syed Kirmani.

'Malathi's life is an inspiring story of great struggle, determination and spirit to win all odds. I thought it would be an inspiring tale to tell,' said Anantha at the book release function.

'It's a salute to the woman and the champion, who fought all odds to emerge as a winner,' he added.

Malathi was born in Bangalore on July 6, 1958. After she was afflicted by polio, she went through a series of treatments to cure her disease and spent almost 15 years in an orthopaedic centre in Chennai. Till date, Malathi has undergone 32 surgeries.

Malathi decided to take up sports as an alternative medicine to cure her pain.

'When I was small, I wanted to be first among my friends who used to run to the backyard to pick the fallen mangoes. I wanted to fly like a bird fearlessly from one place to another. But as I grew up I realised that you need legs to run and wings to fly. I was hurt, but I didn't give up. I knew, one day, I would run...' said Malathi in the book.