India’s performance at the Paris 2024 Paralympics has etched a new chapter in the annals of the nation’s sports history. The Indian contingent not only surpassed its previous best at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics but also showcased the country’s growing prowess in para-sports. The 2024 Games witnessed India winning a total of 20 medals, including three gold, seven silver, and ten bronze. This achievement is a testament to the dedication, hard work, and resilience of Indian para-athletes who continue to defy odds and set new benchmarks.
OVERVIEW
A Surge in Medals ; Outshining Tokyo 2020
India’s performance at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics was lauded as historic when the country clinched 19 medals, including five golds. However, the Paris 2024 Games saw the Indian contingent surpass this record, finishing with an impressive tally of 20 medals. This achievement was sealed in a dramatic half-hour on a Wednesday morning when Indian para-athletes won four medals, pushing the tally past the Tokyo 2020 record.
The Paris 2024 Paralympics highlighted India’s strength in para-athletics and para-badminton, with half of the medals coming from athletics and five from badminton. The shooting and archery disciplines also contributed significantly to the medal haul, bringing home four and one medal, respectively.
Key Highlights and Medal Winners
The triumphs at Paris 2024 were spearheaded by remarkable performances across various disciplines. Here’s a closer look at the athletes who made the nation proud:
- Ajeet Singh and Sundar Singh Gurjar made their mark in the men’s javelin throw F46 final. Ajeet Singh secured a silver medal with a personal best throw of 65.62 meters, while Sundar Singh Gurjar clinched the bronze with a season-best throw of 64.96 meters.
- In the men’s high jump T63 final, India had another double podium finish. Sharad Kumar (T42) won silver with a best jump of 1.88 meters, setting a new Paralympic record in the T42 category. This performance allowed him to upgrade his Tokyo 2020 bronze to a silver in Paris 2024. Mariyappan Thangavelu (T42), a former gold medalist, followed closely behind with a bronze-winning jump of 1.85 meters.
- Avani Lekhara, one of India’s most celebrated para-shooters, continued her stellar run by winning gold in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing event. Her victory in Paris adds to her previous achievements, making her a two-time Paralympic gold medalist.
- Nitesh Kumar emerged as a star in para-badminton, clinching gold in the Men’s Singles SL3 category. His performance underscored India’s growing strength in para-badminton, a sport that fetched the country five medals in Paris.
- Sumit Antil repeated his Tokyo 2020 heroics by winning gold in the Men’s Javelin Throw F64 category, further solidifying his status as one of India’s premier para-athletes.
- The Indian para-shooting team also made significant contributions, with Manish Narwal winning silver in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol event and Rubina Francis securing bronze in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol SH1 event.
- In para-archery, Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi teamed up to win bronze in the Mixed Team Compound Open event, adding another feather to India’s cap.
The Road to Success: A Testament to Resilience
The success of Indian para-athletes at the Paris 2024 Paralympics is not just a result of their individual talent but also the support system that has been gradually built over the years. The government’s initiatives, increased funding, better training facilities, and the rise of awareness about para-sports have all contributed to this success. Moreover, the athletes’ sheer determination and the drive to excel on the global stage have been instrumental in achieving these milestones.
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Full List of Indian Medal Winners at Paris 2024 Paralympics
Below is the complete list of Indian athletes who won medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympics:
| Athlete | Medal | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Avani Lekhara | Gold | Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing |
| Mona Agarwal | Bronze | Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing |
| Preethi Pal | Bronze | Women’s 100m T35 |
| Manish Narwal | Silver | Men’s 10m Air Pistol |
| Rubina Francis | Bronze | Women’s 10m Air Pistol SH1 |
| Preethi Pal | Bronze | Women’s 200m – T35 |
| Nishad Kumar | Silver | Men’s High Jump – T47 |
| Yogesh Kathuniya | Silver | Men’s Discus Throw F56 |
| Nitesh Kumar | Gold | Badminton (Men’s Singles SL3) |
| Thulasimathi Murugesan | Silver | Badminton (Women’s Singles SU5) |
| Manisha Ramadass | Bronze | Badminton (Women’s Singles SU5) |
| Suhas Yathiraj | Silver | Badminton (Men’s Singles SL4) |
| Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi | Bronze | Archery (Mixed Team Compound Open) |
| Sumit Antil | Gold | Javelin Throw F64 |
| Deepthi Jeevanji | Bronze | Women’s 400m T20 |
| Sharad Kumar | Silver | Men’s High Jump T63 |
| Mariyappan Thangavelu | Bronze | Men’s High Jump T63 |
| Ajeet Singh | Silver | Men’s Javelin Throw F46 |
| Sundar Singh Gurjar | Bronze | Men’s Javelin Throw F46 |
India’s Golden Legacy at the Paralympics
India’s success at the Paralympics has been built on the foundations laid by pioneers who brought home the nation’s first gold medals. Here’s a look at all the Indian athletes who have won gold at the Paralympic Games over the years:
| Athlete | Event | Paralympics |
|---|---|---|
| Murlikant Petkar | Swimming (Men’s 50m Freestyle) | 1972 |
| Devendra Jhajharia | Men’s Javelin Throw | 2004, 2016 |
| Mariyappan Thangavelu | Men’s High Jump | 2016 |
| Avani Lekhara | Shooting (Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing) | 2020, 2024 |
| Sumit Antil | Men’s Javelin Throw | 2020, 2024 |
| Manish Narwal | Shooting (Men’s 50m Pistol) | 2020 |
| Pramod Bhagat | Badminton (Men’s Singles SL3) | 2020 |
| Krishna Nagar | Badminton (Men’s Singles SH6) | 2020 |
| Nitesh Kumar | Badminton (Men’s Singles SL3) | 2024 |
Significance of Paris 2024: Beyond the Medals
The historic achievement at the Paris 2024 Paralympics is not just about the medals but also about the message it sends. It represents the breaking of barriers and the shattering of stereotypes about disability in India. The athletes have shown that with the right support and determination, nothing is impossible. The success in Paris is likely to inspire future generations of para-athletes and push for greater inclusivity in sports.
The Paris Games have also highlighted the importance of continued investment in para-sports. The success stories of athletes like Avani Lekhara, Sumit Antil, and Nitesh Kumar underline the impact of dedicated training, access to world-class facilities, and the support of coaches and mentors who understand the unique challenges faced by para-athletes.
FAQ
Q1: How many medals did India win at the Paris 2024 Paralympics ?
A: India won a total of 20 medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, including three gold, seven silver, and ten bronze medals.
Q2: Which sport contributed the most to India’s medal tally at the Paris 2024 Paralympics ?
A: Para-athletics contributed the most, with ten out of the twenty medals coming from this sport.
Q3: Who were India’s gold medalists at the Paris 2024 Paralympics ?
A: The gold medalists were Avani Lekhara (Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing), Nitesh Kumar (Badminton – Men’s Singles SL3), and Sumit Antil (Men’s Javelin Throw F64).
Q4: How does the medal tally at Paris 2024 compare to Tokyo 2020 ?
A:
India surpassed its Tokyo 2020 Paralympics medal tally by winning 20 medals at Paris 2024, compared to 19 medals at Tokyo 2020.
Q5: What was significant about Sharad Kumar’s performance in Paris 2024 ?
A: Sharad Kumar won silver in the Men’s High Jump T63, setting a new Paralympic record in the T42 category. He upgraded his bronze medal from Tokyo 2020 to silver in Paris 2024.
Q6: How has India’s performance at the Paralympics evolved over the years ?
A: India’s performance at the Paralympics has seen a steady improvement, with a significant surge in medals and better performances at the last two Paralympics (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024). The growing support for para-sports and improved facilities have played a crucial role in this evolution.
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