India has made an unforgettable mark at the Paris Paralympics, surpassing its previous record with a remarkable 20 medals. This stellar performance is a significant leap from the 19 medals won at the Tokyo Paralympics three years ago. The Indian contingent has demonstrated exceptional skill and determination across various events, setting new benchmarks in Paralympic history.
Historic Medal Haul: A New Record for India
India’s impressive achievement at the Paris Paralympics includes a total of 20 medals—3 gold, 7 silver, and 10 bronze. This surpasses the previous record of 19 medals set at the Tokyo Paralympics. The success is largely attributed to the stellar performances in para athletics and para badminton, which contributed significantly to the overall medal count.
Para Athletics: A Major Contributor to India’s Success
Half of India’s 20 medals were won in para athletics. The para athletics team delivered standout performances, especially on a memorable day when four medals were won in a span of just 30 minutes.
Javelin Throw (F46): Ajeet Singh secured a silver medal with a personal best throw of 65.62m, while Sundar Singh Gurjar took home the bronze with a season best throw of 64.96m. This achievement marked India’s first double podium finish in athletics at the Paris Paralympics.
High Jump (T63): Sharad Kumar claimed silver with a jump of 1.88m, setting a new Paralympic record in the T42 category. Mariyappan Thangavelu followed closely with a bronze, jumping 1.85m. Both athletes improved upon their previous Paralympic performances, with Sharad upgrading from a bronze at Tokyo 2020 to silver in Paris.
400m Sprint (T20): Deepthi Jeevanji, a debutant at the Paralympics, won bronze in the women’s 400m T20 final with a time of 55.82 seconds. Jeevanji, who has overcome significant personal challenges, was praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for her perseverance and skill.
Congratulations to Deepthi Jeevanji for her spectacular Bronze medal win in the Women's 400M T20 at #Paralympics2024! She is a source of inspiration for countless people. Her skills and tenacity are commendable. #Cheer4Bharat pic.twitter.com/QqhaERCW0q
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 3, 2024Para Badminton: A Show of Excellence
India also shined in para badminton, contributing five medals to the overall tally:
Men’s Singles (SL3): Nitesh Kumar clinched the gold medal.
Women’s Singles (SU5): Thulasimathi Murugesan won silver, and Manisha Ramadass secured bronze.
Men’s Singles (SL4): Suhas Yathiraj earned silver.
Shooting and Archery: Additional Contributions
Shooting: India won four medals, with Avani Lekhara making headlines by finishing fifth in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 competition. Despite not securing another medal, Lekhara’s earlier gold in the 10m air rifle standing was historic as she became the first Indian woman to win consecutive gold medals at the Paralympics.
Archery: Pooja Jatyan reached the quarterfinals in the women’s recurve open event, where she narrowly lost to China’s Wu Chunyan. Jatyan’s performance added to India’s diverse medal haul.
Notable Performances and Personal Stories
Bhagyashri Jadhav: The 39-year-old athlete finished fifth in the women’s shot put (F34) but her journey from an accident-induced disability to becoming a para-athlete is truly inspiring.
Deepthi Jeevanji’s Journey: From being identified with intellectual impairment to winning a Paralympic bronze, Jeevanji’s story is a testament to overcoming adversity. Her previous accomplishments include a world record at the Para World Championships and a gold at the Asian Para Games.
A Proud Moment for India
India’s success at the Paris Paralympics reflects the hard work and dedication of its athletes and coaches. With 10 gold medals in total, including recent victories by Sumit Antil in javelin throw and Nitesh Kumar in badminton, the country has demonstrated its growing prowess in Paralympic sports.
Future Prospects
The performance at the Paris Paralympics sets a high standard for future events and underscores India’s commitment to supporting and promoting para sports. The achievements in Paris will likely inspire more athletes and contribute to the continued growth of para sports in India.
India’s outstanding performance at the Paris Paralympics is not just a national achievement but also a celebration of resilience and excellence in the face of challenges. The athletes’ remarkable achievements will undoubtedly be remembered as a defining moment in the history of Indian sports.
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