Paris Paralympics 2024
The Paris Olympics ended a few days ago. The Indian team took 117 athletes to this year’s games. The Indian squad has won a total of six medals from the Olympic Games, which includes five bronze and one silver. Now it’s the turn of the Paralympics. The Paralympics are starting in Paris. The opening ceremony has already taken place. India has taken 84 athletes to the Paralympics this time.
They will participate in 12 sports categories. India took 54 athletes to the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2020. Who participated in 9 sports categories. India bagged an unprecedented 19 medals at the Tokyo Games. Among them were five gold medals. Will the Indian squad surpass their Tokyo Paralympic Games performance this time? That question is there. Meanwhile, let’s look at the Indian athletes who have achieved the impossible.
Also read: Will Vinesh Phogat Win the Silver Medal? Understanding the 15-Minute Rule and CAS Decision.
1) Sumit Antill:
He is India’s star para javelin thrower. In Tokyo, he won gold in the F64 category. He threw 68.55 meters. The world record was broken three times on the way to winning gold. Then last year he broke his world record twice and set a new world record. He threw 73.29 meters in the Para Asian Games. He lost a leg in a road accident nine years ago. He also won gold at the Para World Championships this year. Along with Bhagyashree Yadav, he was the joint flag bearer of India for this year’s Games.
2) Avani Lekhara:
Avani wrote his name in the pages of history in the Tokyo Games. This para shooter became the first Indian woman Paralympian to win gold. She also set the precedent of becoming the first Indian woman athlete to win multiple medals in a particular Paralympics. He was badly damaged in a car accident at the age of 11. He made his debut for India at the Tokyo Games. Compatriot Mona Agarwal can challenge him in the 10m air rifle this year.
3) Sheetal Devi:
Only 17 years old. And this young talent is going to Paralympics for India at this age. The only active para archer is this girl from Jammu and Kashmir who plays archery with no hands. He fought with his own feet. He also won gold in the 2023 World Paralympics Archery Championship.
4) Krishna Nagar:
He is the world champion in singles in the SH6 category. He also won gold in Tokyo. Keeping it here will be a big challenge. He started playing badminton in 2017. The 25-year-old Jodhpur resident is expected to perform well. Moreover, another Indian in this category, Pramod Bhagat, is not in Paris due to his ban. As a result, the pressure will be on Krishna to some extent.
5) Yogesh Kathunia:
He was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome at a very young age. As a result, he had to take the help of a wheelchair from a young age. He won gold at the 2018 Berlin Para Athletics Championships. He is participating in the men’s F36 discus throw. He also set a precedent by throwing 45.18 meters. He won silver in this category in Tokyo. He also won silver at the 2023 and 2024 Paris World Championships. In 2022, he broke his world record by throwing 48.34 meters. The 27-year-old is all set to break his record and win a medal for the country.
