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.

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The highlight of the tournament was the outstanding performance of Vanshik Kapadia and Vrushali Thakare, who clinched the gold medal in the 19-plus Open Mixed Doubles category. Their exceptional teamwork and skill earned them top honors and cemented India’s growing reputation in international pickleball.

In addition to this remarkable victory, other Indian players also delivered commendable performances:

• Kuldip Mahajan partnered with South Korea’s Kim Eung Gwon to secure a silver medal in the 19-plus Open Mixed Doubles category.
• Vanshik Kapadia added another silver to India’s tally in the 19-plus Open Men’s Singles.
• Karina Aditya Dwipayani and Vrushali Thakare teamed up to win silver in the 19-plus Open Women’s Doubles.
• Isha Lakhani and Roos Van Reek earned a bronze medal in the 19-plus Open Women’s Doubles.
• Mayur Patil joined forces with Neilson Chen to secure a bronze medal in the 19-plus Open Mixed Doubles.

Arvind Prabhoo, President of AIPA, lauded the players’ efforts, stating:
“It is a proud moment for AIPA to see our players shine once again at the World Pickleball Championship. The Hong Kong leg was yet another testament to their hard work, perseverance, and the growing support for pickleball in India. Congratulations to all the medalists for their outstanding achievements. Their success inspires many and strengthens India’s position in the global pickleball community.”

This impressive performance in Hong Kong continues India’s success in the World Pickleball Championship series. It follows the team’s incredible haul of 28 medals, including 11 golds, during the India leg of the championship held earlier in November.

As pickleball gains momentum in India, AIPA remains dedicated to nurturing talent and providing platforms for players to excel on the global stage. With this success, Team India looks poised for greater achievements as they prepare for upcoming challenges in the international pickleball arena.

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This historic achievement marks the first time an Indian has assumed such a prestigious continental leadership role within the sport. The FCA General Assembly, with representation from 46 member countries, underscores the significance of this milestone not only for India but also for the broader Asian fencing community.

Rajeev Mehta, who currently serves as the Secretary-General of the Fencing Association of India, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. His tenure as President of the Fencing Association of India (2017–2021) and his simultaneous service as Secretary-General of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) reflect his deep commitment to sports administration.

Mehta’s contributions to Indian sports are noteworthy. He has been instrumental in securing sponsorships for the IOA and has played a key role in introducing prize money for medal winners of the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games. His efforts to strengthen ties with state Olympic associations and national federations have significantly bolstered the growth of sports in India.

Following his election, Mehta emphasized his vision for the FCA, stating:
“I passionately believe that strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders will help us gain better leverage for the advancement of FCA. Our goal is to usher in a new era of collaboration, openness, and transparency in fencing.”

This achievement highlights the growing influence of Indian sports administrators on the international stage and paves the way for greater collaboration and progress in Asian fencing.

Mehta’s election is being celebrated as a momentous occasion, signifying not only a personal milestone but also a step forward for Indian sports leadership on a global platform.

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