India’s performance at the Paris Paralympics 2024 was historic, marking the country’s greatest Paralympic campaign ever. Here’s a comprehensive look at the numbers that made this event so memorable.
Paris Paralympics 2024- 7 Golds, 9 Silvers, 13 Bronzes
India’s para-athletes won a total of 29 medals, with 7 golds, 9 silvers, and 13 bronzes — ten more than their previous Paralympic best. This extraordinary achievement shattered records, making Paris 2024 a landmark event in India’s Paralympic history.
Top 20 Finish
India finished 18th in the medal tally, just one gold short of breaking into the top 15. Spain, positioned above India, managed only two more silver medals than India. This top-20 finish was a significant improvement for India in terms of Paralympic rankings.
First-Ever Medals in New Sports
India had multiple “firsts” during the Paris Paralympics:
- Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar won India’s first-ever medal in recurve archery.
- Kapil Parmar became the first Indian to win a Paralympic medal in judo.
- Harvinder Singh won India’s first-ever gold in para archery.
Hokato Hotozhe Sema, competing in men’s shot put F57, became the first Paralympian from Nagaland and also the state’s first medalist.
History for Avani Lekhara and Mariyappan Thangavelu
Both Avani Lekhara (gold in women’s 10m Air Rifle SH1) and Mariyappan Thangavelu (bronze in men’s high jump T63) earned the third Paralympic medals of their careers. This places them among India’s all-time Paralympic greats, joining Joginder Singh Bedi and Devendra Jhajharia with three medals each.
Navdeep’s Javelin Miracle: 3.05 Meters Further
Navdeep needed to significantly improve his personal best in the men’s javelin F41 final to contend for gold. He threw the javelin 3.05 meters further than his previous best, securing the gold, helped by his Iranian rival’s disqualification.
Indian Domination in Club Throw and High Jump
- Dharambir and Pranav Soorma finished first and second in the men’s club throw F51, securing a double podium for India.
- Sharad Kumar and Mariyappan Thangavelu took silver and bronze, respectively, in the men’s high jump T63.
- In women’s singles SU5 badminton, Thulasimathi M and Manisha Ramadass won silver and bronze.
Praveen Kumar’s High Jump Heroics
Praveen Kumar dominated the men’s high jump T64 final, clearing seven heights in one attempt each, including the gold-winning height of 2.08 meters. He upgraded his Tokyo silver to a gold medal in Paris.
10 Indian Para Athletes Become Multiple Medalists
A total of 10 Indian para-athletes won multiple Paralympic medals:
- Sumit Antil, Harvinder Singh, Praveen Kumar, Suhas Yathiraj, Nishad Kumar, Sharad Kumar, Manish Narwal, Yogesh Kathuniya, and Sundar Singh Gurjar added to their Tokyo Paralympics medal tally.
- Preethi Pal made a stunning debut, winning two bronze medals in the 100m and 200m T35 events.
A Personal Best for Simran
Simran, competing in the women’s 200m T12 final, won bronze with a personal best time of 24.75 seconds, capping off a remarkable campaign after narrowly missing out on a medal in the 100m final by just 0.05 seconds.
Sumit Antil’s Record-Breaking Throw
Sumit Antil broke his own world record three times in Tokyo. While he didn’t surpass that in Paris, he still set a new Paralympic record in the men’s javelin F64 with a throw of 70.59 meters, surpassing his Tokyo mark three times.
Avani Lekhara Defends Her Title
In one of the standout performances, Avani Lekhara successfully defended her women’s 10m air rifle SH1 gold, breaking her own Paralympic record with a score of 249.7. Her victory came after her Korean competitor faltered in the final shot, scoring just 6.8.
Conclusion: India’s Best Paralympic Campaign Ever
The Paris Paralympics 2024 will forever be remembered as the moment when India’s para-athletes elevated the nation to new heights. With 29 medals, numerous firsts, and records shattered, India has solidified its standing as a growing power in global para-sports. The accomplishments of athletes like Avani Lekhara, Sumit Antil, Navdeep, and many others will inspire generations to come.
