India’s Record-Breaking Campaign at Paris Paralympics 2024
In Brief :
New Delhi: India has achieved its most remarkable performance in Paralympic history with a record-breaking tally of 29 medals at the Paris Paralympics 2024. This historic achievement includes seven gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze medals, placing India 18th in the overall medals tally and surpassing its previous best performance. The campaign, which concluded on a high note, saw Indian athletes breaking records and setting new milestones across various sports.
Historic Achievements and Record-Breaking Performances
Avani Lekhara’s Double Gold Feat
One of the standout performances of the games was Avani Lekhara, who made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win two Paralympic gold medals. Lekhara triumphed in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event, achieving a world-record performance. Her success was a significant highlight of India’s campaign, showcasing her exceptional skill and determination.
Mona Agarwal’s Bronze Medal and Historic Double Podium Finish
In the same event, Mona Agarwal added another layer to India’s success by winning a bronze medal. This achievement was particularly notable as it marked India’s first double podium finish in a single Paralympic event, highlighting the country’s growing prowess in shooting sports.
Athletics: A Groundbreaking Performance
Dharambir and Parnav Soorma’s One-Two Finish
In athletics, Dharambir and Parnav Soorma delivered a historic one-two finish in the men’s club throw F51 event. Dharambir set a new Asian record with an impressive throw of 34.92 meters, while Soorma’s performance also contributed to India’s medal tally, marking a significant milestone in Paralympic athletics for the country.
Praveen Kumar’s Asian Record in High Jump
Praveen Kumar furthered India’s athletics success by breaking an Asian record in the high jump T64 event. His performance earned India its sixth gold medal of the games, showcasing the country’s strong presence in field events.
Harvinder Singh’s Gold Medal in Archery
Harvinder Singh made history by becoming India’s first gold medallist in archery at the Paralympics. His victory in the archery event added a new dimension to India’s achievements in the sport, demonstrating the country’s growing strength in archery.
The Archery Triumph: Sheetal Devi’s Historic Achievements
Sheetal Devi’s World Record and Medal Wins
Armless archer Sheetal Devi had an exceptional campaign, setting a world record in the ranking round. She then teamed up with Rakesh Kumar to set another world record in the compound mixed team qualification event. Sheetal’s campaign concluded with her becoming India’s youngest Paralympic medallist, claiming a bronze medal in the mixed team event alongside Kumar.
Javelin and Track Events: Record-Breaking Performances
Sumit Antil’s Historic Defense of Javelin Title
Sumit Antil made history by becoming the first Indian man to defend his Paralympic javelin throw F64 title. His record-breaking throw of 70.59 meters secured the gold medal and underscored India’s strength in throwing events.
Mariyappan Thangavelu’s Bronze Medal
Mariyappan Thangavelu achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Indian to win medals at three consecutive Paralympics. His bronze medal in the high jump T42 class added to India’s impressive medal haul.
Preethi Pal’s Groundbreaking Achievements in Track Events
Preethi Pal made history by becoming the first Indian to win a track event medal at the Paralympics. She secured bronze in the women’s 100m T35 race and added another bronze in the 200m T35 race, showcasing her exceptional athleticism.
Additional Historic Wins
Deepthi Jeevanji’s Medal in Women’s 400m T20
Deepthi Jeevanji broke new ground by becoming India’s first intellectually impaired athlete to win a Paralympic medal. She earned a bronze in the women’s 400m T20 class, highlighting the diverse talent within India’s Paralympic contingent.
Simran Sharma and Abhay Singh’s Bronze Medal
Simran Sharma and her guide Abhay Singh also contributed to India’s medal tally with a bronze in the women’s 200m T12 event. Their performance was a testament to the hard work and dedication of athletes and their support teams.
The Final Medal: Navdeep Singh’s Triumph
Navdeep Singh’s Gold Medal in Javelin Throw
The Indian campaign concluded on a high note with Navdeep Singh winning gold in the men’s javelin throw F41 category. This victory marked India’s 29th and final medal of the games, capping off a historic and successful Paralympic journey for the country.
India’s performance at the Paris Paralympics 2024 has set a new benchmark for the nation and demonstrated the incredible talent and determination of its athletes across a range of sports.
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