At the 2024 Paris Paralympics, India won a historic 20 medals. This included three golds, seven silvers, and ten bronzes. It surpassed its Tokyo 2020 record. India’s para sports talent has surged to global prominence. With 19 medals in Tokyo, India had a weak Paralympics. So, Paris 2024 is now its most successful campaign. Para athletics helped a lot.
In para athletics, India’s athletes dominated, winning four medals in 30 minutes. Ajeet Singh and Sundar Singh Gurjar excelled in the men’s javelin F46 final. They captured silver, and they secured bronze. Singh’s best throw was 65.62 meters, and Gurjar’s was 64.96 meters. They made India the first country to win two medals in athletics at the Paris Paralympics.
In the men’s high jump T63 final, Sharad Kumar won silver with a jump of 1.88 meters. This set a new Paralympic record in the T42 category.
Mariyappan Thangavelu won bronze with a 1.85-meter jump. He is the first Indian to win medals in three straight Paralympics. He won gold at Rio 2016, silver at Tokyo 2020, and bronze at Paris 2024.
India’s success extended beyond the athletics field. In shooting, Avani Lekhara made history. She became the first Indian woman to win two gold medals at the Paralympics. She defended her title in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event with a world record score. Mona Agarwal’s bronze medal made history. It was India’s first double podium finish in a single shooting event at the Paralympic Games.
In archery, Sheetal Devi, an armless archer, set a world record in the ranking round. She won a silver medal. With Rakesh Kumar, she set a world record in the compound mixed team qualification. At 17, Devi became India’s youngest Paralympic medalist. She won a bronze in the mixed team event.
India’s Record-Breaking 20 Medals at Paris 2024 Paralympics Showcases Rising Para Sports Dominance
Preethi Pal made headlines by winning India’s first Paralympic medal in a track event She won a bronze medal in the women’s 100m T35 race, followed by a bronze medal in the 200m T35 race.
Sumit Antil’s performance on the F64 spearhead is a masculine display. By setting a new Paralympic mark of 70.59 meters, he took the gold. Of that, he placed three, which he later broke during the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Deepthi Jeevanji broke new ground, becoming India’s inaugural Paralympic medal winner. She claimed bronze in the women’s 400m T20 class competition.
Paris 2024 will feature 84 athletes across 12 sports – three more than Tokyo 2020. The Indian delegation showcased its growing strength in the sports paradise. Indian athletes also participated in new events, including cycling, sailing and blind judo. This Indian parade reflects the growth of sports.
India’s five gold medals from Tokyo 2020 are its highest. But its 20 medals at Paris 2024 show its growing skill in para sports.
The 2024 Paris Paralympics is a landmark event for India. It shows the nation’s progress and commitment to para-sports.
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