India’s journey at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games has concluded, marking a historic chapter in the nation’s sporting achievements. With an outstanding total of 29 medals, including 7 golds, this campaign has been the most successful for India in the history of the Paralympics. The closing day of the games saw Indian competitor Pooja Ojha striving for glory in the women’s 200 meter KL1 category canoe sprint, but she narrowly missed a podium finish, ending up in fourth place.
A Historic Medals Tally
India’s impressive medal haul in Paris not only surpassed the previous record of 19 medals obtained in the Tokyo Paralympics but also set new benchmarks across various events. With this achievement, India aims to inspire the nation and foster greater support for para-athletes. The impressive result came after setting a target of 25 medals, which Indian athletes exceeded by a magnificent 4 medals at the highest tier of competition. The tally consisted of 7 gold, 9 silver, and 13 bronze medals, showcasing a well-rounded performance across disciplines.
Highlighting the Athletes
Several para-athletes stood out during these games, making significant contributions to India’s medal tally:
- Avani Lekhara successfully defended her gold medal in women’s standing rifle shooting, repeating her stellar performance from Tokyo.
- Sumit Antil not only retained his title but also achieved a Paralympic record in javelin throw.
- Harvinder Singh made history by winning India’s first gold medal in archery at the Paralympics.
- Dharambir also created history by clinching gold in the club throw for the first time.
- Nitesh Kumar triumphed in para badminton, adding to India’s gold count.
- Praveen Kumar secured gold in high jump, showcasing India’s growing prowess in athletics.
- 17-year-old archer Sheetal Devi captured the world’s attention by competing without hands and winning bronze in the mixed team event alongside Rakesh Kumar.
Record-Breaking Performances in Athletics
Athletics emerged as the shining star of India’s Paralympic campaign, contributing 17 out of the total 29 medals. This included a remarkable feat where sprinter Preeti Pal made history by claiming bronze medals in both the women’s 100 meter and 200 meter races. Additionally, new sports saw Indian athletes earning medals, with Kapil Parmar becoming the first Indian athlete to win a bronze in judo, and Harvinder Singh securing a momentous gold in archery.
Conclusion
India’s performance at the 2024 Paris Paralympics is a testament to the determination, resilience, and skill of its para-athletes. Finishing 18th overall, an improvement from the 24th position in Tokyo, signifies a promising future for the country in the realm of para-sports. As the nation celebrates this historic achievement, there is great hope that the success of these athletes will pave the way for increased support and recognition of para-sports in India.
