India’s Para-Athletes Redefine Excellence at Paris 2024 Paralympics
New Delhi [India], January 1 – The Indian contingent at the Paris 2024 Paralympics delivered an extraordinary performance, setting new benchmarks in para-sports and elevating India’s position on the global stage. With an unprecedented haul of 29 medals—seven gold, nine silver, and thirteen bronze—India achieved its best-ever finish, securing the 18th position.
The 12-day event, held from August 28 to September 8, was a testament to the determination and resilience of India’s para-athletes. The campaign not only surpassed the previous record set at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics (19 medals, including five golds) but also inspired a new generation of athletes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the athletes, emphasizing their role in reshaping perceptions of specially-abled individuals. “Your contribution goes beyond medals; you are instilling belief in specially-abled people that they are no less. A new atmosphere is being created,” PM Modi remarked during his meeting with the contingent. The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) president, Devendra Jhajharia, shared a vision for the future, promising even greater achievements at the LA 2028 Paralympics, with an ambitious target of 40 to 50 medals.
A Campaign to Remember
The Paris campaign kicked off with a stellar performance by Avani Lekhara, who clinched the first gold in the women’s 10m air rifle event with a personal best score of 249.7 points. Mona Agarwal added a bronze in the same event. This set the tone for a series of remarkable achievements across disciplines.
Highlights included:
- Preethi Pal: Bronze in the 100m T35 and another bronze in the 200m T35 race.
- Manish Narwal: Silver in the men’s 10m air pistol SH1, demonstrating resilience after an early setback.
- Rubina Francis: Bronze in the P2 women’s 10m air pistol SH-1.
- Nishad Kumar: Silver in the men’s high jump T47 with a leap of 2.04m.
- Yogesh Kathuniya: Silver in the men’s discus throw F56.
- Sumit Antil: Gold in the men’s javelin throw F64, breaking his own record twice during the event.
- Sharad Kumar and Mariyappan Thangavelu: Silver and bronze, respectively, in the men’s high jump T63.
- Harvinder Singh: Gold in individual recurve para-archery, marking India’s first-ever archery champion at the Paralympics.
Double Podium Finishes and Record-Breaking Performances
India’s athletes delivered several double podium finishes, including Ajeet Singh and Sundar Singh Gurjar’s silver and bronze in the men’s javelin throw F46, and Sharad Kumar and Mariyappan Thangavelu’s medals in the high jump T63. Praveen Kumar’s Asian record-breaking jump of 2.08m secured India’s sixth gold medal in the T64 high jump event.
In team events, Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi won bronze in the mixed team compound archery event, while Dharambir set an Asian record to win gold in the men’s club throw F51. Kapil Parmar’s swift Ippon in the men’s -60kg J1 judo event brought home another bronze.
Final Medals and a Historic Upgrade
India’s campaign concluded on a high note. Simran Sharma achieved her personal best to win bronze in the women’s 200m T12 final. Navdeep Singh’s silver medal in the men’s F53 discus throw was upgraded to gold following the disqualification of the initial winner, making it a fitting finale to India’s historic campaign.
Medal Tally at a Glance
Gold: Harvinder Singh, Sumit Antil, Dharambir, Praveen Kumar, Navdeep Singh, Nitesh Kumar, Avani Lekhara
Silver: Nishad Kumar, Yogesh Kathuniya, Sharad Kumar, Ajeet Singh, Sachin Khilari, Pranav Soorma, Thulasimathi Murugesan, Suhas Yathiraj, Manish Narwal
Bronze: Sheetal Devi, Rakesh Kumar, Preethi Pal, Deepthi Jeevanji, Mariyappan Thangavelu, Sundar Singh Gurjar, Hokato Hotozhe Sema, Simran Sharma, Manisha Ramadass, Nithya Sre Sivan, Kapil Parmar, Mona Agarwal, Rubina Francis
A Legacy of Hope
The Paris 2024 Paralympics will forever be etched in India’s sporting history. It not only showcased the grit and talent of Indian para-athletes but also inspired millions, proving that with determination and support, no challenge is insurmountable. The journey to LA 2028 has already begun, and the nation eagerly awaits the next chapter in this remarkable story.
