Paralympics 2024: From Sumit Antil to Avani Lekhara, a Look at All of India’s 29 Medals from Paris

By Ashish Bajpai Sep 10, 2024

The 2024 Paris Paralympics marked a historic moment for India, as the nation achieved its best-ever performance at the Games, securing a total of 29 medals. This impressive haul included seven gold, nine silver, and thirteen bronze medals, showcasing the incredible talent and determination of Indian para-athletes. Let’s take a closer look at the standout performances and the athletes who brought glory to the nation.

Sumit Antil: Defending the Title with a Record

Sumit Antil, the reigning champion from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, once again proved his mettle in the men’s javelin F64 event. Antil defended his title with a stunning throw of 70.59 meters, setting a new Paralympic record. His remarkable achievement not only earned him a gold medal but also solidified his status as one of the world’s top para-athletes.

Avani Lekhara: Shooting for Gold

Avani Lekhara, who made headlines in Tokyo with her gold medal in shooting, continued her stellar performance in Paris. Competing in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event, Lekhara clinched another gold medal with a near-perfect score. Her consistency and precision have made her a role model for aspiring shooters across the country.

Athletics: Dominating the Track and Field

Athletics has always been a strong suit for India at the Paralympics, and the 2024 Games were no exception. Indian para-athletes excelled in various track and field events, bringing home a total of 17 medals. Among the standout performers was Praveen Kumar, who won gold in the men’s high jump T64 event with a leap of 2.05 meters, setting a new personal best.

Paralympics 2024: From Sumit Antil to Avani Lekhara, a look at all of India’s 29 medals from Paris

Harvinder Singh: Archery Gold

In archery, Harvinder Singh made history by winning India’s first-ever gold medal in the men’s recurve individual open event. Singh’s flawless performance in the final, where he defeated Poland’s Lukasz Ciszek 6-0, was a testament to his skill and dedication. Singh, who holds a PhD in Economics, also narrowly missed out on a medal in the mixed team recurve open event, finishing fourth.

Judo: A Historic First

Kapil Parmar etched his name in the history books by winning India’s first Paralympic medal in judo. Competing in the men’s 81kg category, Parmar showcased exceptional technique and determination to secure a bronze medal. His achievement has brought much-needed attention to judo in India and inspired many young athletes to take up the sport.

Swimming: Making Waves

India’s para-swimmers also made significant contributions to the medal tally. Niranjan Mukundan, a seasoned swimmer, won silver in the men’s 50m butterfly S7 event, while Suyash Jadhav clinched bronze in the men’s 200m individual medley SM7 event. Their performances highlighted the growing prowess of Indian swimmers on the international stage.

Table Tennis: A New Era

In table tennis, Bhavina Patel continued her impressive run from Tokyo by winning a silver medal in the women’s singles class 4 event. Patel’s journey has been nothing short of inspirational, and her success in Paris has further cemented her legacy as one of India’s finest para-table tennis players.

Badminton: Smashing Success

Badminton, a sport that has gained immense popularity in India, saw para-athletes making their mark in Paris. Krishna Nagar, who won gold in Tokyo, added another gold to his collection by triumphing in the men’s singles SH6 event. Nagar’s agility and skill on the court were on full display as he defeated his opponents with ease.

Wheelchair Tennis: Breaking Barriers

India’s wheelchair tennis players also made significant strides at the Paralympics. Prathima Rao, competing in the women’s singles event, reached the quarterfinals, showcasing her determination and resilience. Although she narrowly missed out on a medal, her performance has inspired many to pursue wheelchair tennis.

Powerlifting: Lifting Spirits

In powerlifting, Sakina Khatun won a bronze medal in the women’s 50kg category. Khatun’s journey from a small village in West Bengal to the Paralympic podium is a story of grit and perseverance. Her achievement has brought attention to the sport and encouraged more women to take up powerlifting.

Shooting: Hitting the Bullseye

Apart from Avani Lekhara, other Indian shooters also made their mark in Paris. Manish Narwal, competing in the men’s 10m air pistol SH1 event, won a silver medal with a stellar performance. Narwal’s consistency and focus have made him one of the top para-shooters in the world1.

Table Tennis: Doubles Delight

In addition to Bhavina Patel’s success in singles, the Indian duo of Sonalben Patel and Raj Aravindan Alagar won a bronze medal in the mixed doubles class 4-5 event. Their teamwork and coordination were key to their success, and their achievement has brought attention to the doubles format in para-table tennis.

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