2024-08-31 15:45:02
A record 84 para athletes will be representing India at the upcoming Paris 2024 Paralympics, which will take place from August 28 to September 8.
India will compete across 12 disciplines at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, three more than Tokyo 2020.
Javelin thrower Sumit Antil and shooter Avani Lekhara, both gold medallists from Tokyo Paralympics, will be headlining India’s contingent in Paris. Sumit Antil owns the world record throw of 73.29m, while Avani Lekhara is India’s first female Paralympic Games gold medallist.
High jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu is a two-time Paralympic medal winner. He won the gold at Rio 2016 and a silver at Tokyo 2020.
Para table tennis player Bhavina Patel and archer Harvinder Singh, who won India’s first Paralympic medal in their respective disciplines, will be vying for a second medal.
Tokyo 2020 was India’s most successful Paralympic Games with the country winning 19 medals including five gold, eight silver and six bronze.
Indian para athletes will be taking part in three new sports – para cycling, para rowing and blind judo – at Paris 2024.
Arshad Shaik will compete in the men’s C2 para cycling events while Jyoti Gaderiya will do so in the women’s C2 events.
Kapil Parmar will take part in the men’s 60kg J1 event in blind judo and he will be accompanied in this sport by Kokila, competing in the women’s 48kg J2 category. Anita and K. Narayana will represent India in PR3 mixed doubles sculls in para rowing.
India have had impressive performances at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to win two gold medals at the Paralympic Games, defending her title in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 shooting event with a world record score. With Mona Agarwal winning bronze, it was also the first time India had a double podium finish in a single event at the Paralympic Games.
Earlier, armless archer Sheetal Devi briefly held the world record score in the ranking round before finishing second. Later, Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi combined for a world record score compound mixed team qualification event.
Preethi Pal secured her bronze in the women’s 100m T35 race with a personal best time. It was India’s first-ever medal in a track event at the Paralympics.
India have won four medals – one gold, one silver and two bronze – at the Paris 2024 Paralympics so far.
