India’s Medal Rush on Day 5 of Paris Paralympics 2024: Sumit Antil, Nitesh Kumar Strike Gold
About Day 5 of Paris Paralympics
Day 5 of the Paris Paralympics 2024 proved to be a spectacular one for India, with the nation bagging eight medals across various events. India’s total medal count now stands at 15, including three golds, placing the country 15th in the overall standings.
Sumit Antil’s Double Record-Breaking Gold
India’s javelin star, Sumit Antil, retained his Paralympic title in style, setting not one but two new records. The 26-year-old, who had won gold in Tokyo 2021, launched his javelin to a distance of 69.11m on his first attempt, breaking the previous record. He then bettered this feat with a throw of 70.59m in his second attempt, securing his gold medal in a commanding fashion.
Nitesh Kumar’s Nail-Biting Victory in Badminton
In a thrilling encounter, Nitesh Kumar clinched the gold medal in the men’s singles SL3 category. Facing Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell, Nitesh battled through three intense games, eventually emerging victorious with a score of 21-14, 18-21, 23-21. The match saw multiple long rallies, including a remarkable 122-shot exchange, showcasing Nitesh’s determination and skill.
Bronze Glory for Rakesh and Sheetal in Archery
Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi rebounded from their individual setbacks to claim bronze in the mixed compound open archery event. The Indian duo narrowly defeated Italy by a single point, 156-155, marking a significant achievement in their Paralympic journey.
Yogesh Kathuniya Secures Second Consecutive Silver
Discus thrower Yogesh Kathuniya added another silver to his Paralympic tally, with a best throw of 42.22m in the F56 category. Despite his consistent performance, which saw five throws surpassing the 40m mark, he was unable to overtake Brazil’s Claudiney Batista Dos Santos, who set a new Paralympic record with a 46.86m throw.
Silver Medals for Suhas and Thulasimathi in Badminton
India’s badminton players Suhas Yathiraj and Thulasimathi Murugesan both secured silver medals in their respective categories. Suhas faced a tough challenge in the SL4 final against France’s Lucas Mazur, losing 9-21, 13-21, while Thulasimathi was defeated by China’s Yang Qiuxia in the SU5 final with scores of 17-21, 10-21.
Additional Bronzes in Badminton
The medal tally for India was further bolstered by Manisha Ramadass and Nithya Sre Sivan, who won bronze in the women’s SU5 and SH6 badminton events, respectively. Their performances added to India’s growing list of achievements at the Paris Paralympics 2024.
India’s athletes continue to inspire with their remarkable performances, making the nation proud on the global stage.
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