We know that our nation is competing in the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris from 28th August to 8th September. Within 7 days, India rose to the 17th rank among more than 150 countries and secured a total of 15 medals, including three gold, five silver, and seven bronze. On 2nd September 2024, India won a total of eight medals, making it the most fruitful day for India in the history of the Paralympics.
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India’s History in the Paralympics
India made its debut appearance in the 1968 Summer Paralympics and has participated in every edition of the Summer Paralympics since 1984. This year marks India’s thirteenth appearance, with hopes of securing the maximum number of medals. The most successful Paralympics for India was the 2020 Tokyo edition, where India won a total of 19 medals, including five gold, eight silver, and six bronze.
India’s debut medal in the Paralympics came in the 1972 games, when Murlikant Petkar earned a gold medal in swimming. India has won a total of 31 medals across the Paralympic Games. After missing two editions of the Summer Paralympics, India returned with full energy in 1984 and has participated in every Summer Paralympics since then. However, India has never participated in the Winter Paralympic Games.
Tokyo Games 2020
The 2020 Tokyo Games marked a remarkable year in the history of India’s Paralympic achievements. It was the most successful year, with 54 athletes across nine sports representing India, securing a total of 19 medals, including five gold, eight silver, and six bronze.
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Bhavina Patel won the first medal for India in Tokyo, a silver in Table Tennis. Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to win multiple medals in Paralympic shooting, securing a gold and a bronze. Shooter Manish Narwal won another gold medal in the shooting event. Harvinder Singh became the first Indian to win a medal in Paralympic archery, winning a bronze in the men’s recurve event.
With all these shining achievements, the Tokyo Games 2020 became the most successful and memorable year in India’s Paralympic history.
The Paralympic Committee of India
The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) was formed in 1994, five years after the establishment of the International Paralympic Committee. This committee is the core responsible body for selecting and preparing athletes to represent India at the Paralympic Games and other state, national, and international level competitions.
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The first president of this committee was Rathan Singh. Earlier, the committee was named the Physically Handicapped Sports Federation of India. The organization is affiliated with the International Paralympic Committee, the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation, and the Asian Paralympic Committee. The Paralympic Committee of India was granted public authority status by the RTI Act of 2005.
India in Paris
The last Paralympics, held in Tokyo, boosted the courage and confidence of athletes and the entire nation. This led to India participating in the Paris Paralympics 2024 with its largest-ever team. India sent a total of 84 athletes across 12 sports. So far, India has achieved significant success in the Paralympics, winning 21 medals, including three gold, eight silver, and ten bronze.
Key Athletes and Their Achievements
Avani Lekhara, the shining star of the Tokyo Games, once again won a gold medal in shooting, becoming the first Indian woman Paralympic athlete to win back-to-back gold medals and multiple medals. Kumar Nitesh won a gold medal in badminton in the men’s singles SL3 event. Sumit Antil won a gold medal in the men’s javelin throw and set two Paralympic records. Manish Narwal, who won a gold medal in the 2020 games, won a silver medal in shooting this time.
Suhas Yathiraj and Thulasimathi Murugesan won silver medals in the para-badminton event. Ajeet Singh Yadav and Sundar Singh Gurjar won silver and bronze, respectively, in the men’s javelin throw. Sharad Kumar won a silver in the men’s high jump, his second Paralympic medal. Sachin Khilari won a silver in the men’s shot put.
Rising Stars and Promising Performances
Preethi Pal won India’s first track medals in athletics by winning two bronze medals in the 100m and 200m events. Deepthi Jeevanji also won a bronze in the women’s 400m event. Mona Agarwal and Rubina Francis won bronze medals in shooting. Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi won a bronze together in compound archery. Manisha Ramadass and Nithya Sivan won bronze in women’s para-badminton events.
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As the Paralympics are not yet concluded, everyone is eagerly awaiting the remaining events. India has high expectations and is confident that this year will surpass the legacy of 2020.
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