Para-athlete Navdeep Singh's silver medal was upgraded to gold after Iran's Beit Sayah Sadegh was disqualified in the men's javelin throw F41 final. India has achieved its best-ever return from the Para Games with Navdeep's gold and Simran Sharma's bronze in the women's 200m T12 race. Shot-putter Hokato Sema also secured a bronze in the men's F57 category final with a career-best throw. Fans celebrated the para-athletes' arrival at the Delhi airport with flower showers.
Triumph at the Paralympics: India's Para-Athletes Make History
At the recently concluded Paralympic Games, India's para-athletes have once again demonstrated their exceptional talent and determination, etching their names in history with remarkable performances. This year's Games hold particular significance for India, as the country achieved its best-ever medal tally with a gold, a bronze, and a silver medal that was later upgraded to gold.
Navdeep Singh's Golden Triumph
One of the highlights of India's Paralympic campaign was the inspiring story of para-athlete Navdeep Singh. Singh, who competes in the men's javelin throw F41 category, initially secured a silver medal. However, Iran's Beit Sayah Sadegh, who had originally won gold, was subsequently disqualified for violating anti-doping regulations. As a result, Singh's silver medal was upgraded to gold, fulfilling his lifelong dream of standing atop the Paralympic podium.
Simran Sharma's Bronze and Hokato Sema's Career-Best Performance
Alongside Navdeep Singh's success, Simran Sharma secured a bronze medal in the women's 200m T12 race. Sharma's achievement marked India's first-ever medal in a track event at the Paralympics. Shot-putter Hokato Sema also joined the medal tally by earning a bronze in the men's F57 category final with a career-best throw, demonstrating his immense strength and determination.
Background and Significance
India's success at the Paralympics is a testament to the country's growing support for para-athletes and the increasing recognition of their abilities. The Paralympic Games provide a platform for para-athletes from around the world to compete against each other in various sports, showcasing their resilience and athleticism. India's participation and success in these Games have played a vital role in raising awareness about the potential of para-athletes and inspiring future generations.
Top 5 FAQs on Paralympics and Para-Athlete Navdeep Singh
1. What is the Paralympics?
The Paralympics is a multi-sport event that is held immediately after the Olympic Games and is exclusively for athletes with physical, visual, or intellectual impairments.
2. Who is Navdeep Singh?
Navdeep Singh is an Indian para-athlete who competes in the men's javelin throw F41 category. He won a gold medal at the 2021 Paralympic Games, India's first-ever gold medal in a field event at the Paralympics.
3. What is the F41 category in para-athletics?
The F41 category in para-athletics is for athletes with lower limb amputations or other disabilities that affect their ability to walk or run. Athletes in this category compete in events such as the javelin throw, discus throw, and shot put.
4. What is the significance of India's performance at the 2021 Paralympic Games?
India's performance at the 2021 Paralympic Games was its best-ever, with a total of three medals. It showcases the growing support for para-athletics in India and the potential of para-athletes to achieve great success.
5. What are the challenges faced by para-athletes in India?
Para-athletes in India face various challenges, including limited access to training facilities, lack of financial support, and societal stigma. Despite these challenges, they continue to persevere and achieve remarkable feats.
Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana has once again reclaimed the top spot in the ICC ODI rankings, as confirmed by ESPNCricinfo. The 29-year-old batter hit a half-century and a century in the recently concluded series against Australia, solidifying her position at the top. This is Mandhana's fourth time becoming the No. 1 ODI batter, previously achieving the feat in January 2019 and July 2021. With the Women's ODI World Cup starting on September 30, Mandhana's return to the top spot is great news for India. The team will look to improve upon their runner-up finish in the 2017 edition, and Mandhana's form will be crucial in achieving that.
In the second ODI against Australia, Smriti Mandhana stole the show with her impressive batting performance, scoring a century in just 77 balls. With this, she became the second-fastest Indian to score a ton in ODIs, and the first Asian cricketer to reach 15 international tons. However, India suffered a major blow as star batter Jemimah Rodrigues was ruled out of the series due to illness. Her absence will be greatly felt in the upcoming Women's ODI World Cup, where India has a good chance to win their first ICC event.
Arsenal secured a solid victory against Athletic Bilbao in the opening game of the Champions League 2025/26 season, thanks to second-half substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. Gunners manager Mikel Arteta praised the impact of his finishers, emphasizing their importance this season. Despite a dominant start from the Spanish side, the strong defensive performance from Arsenal's four Spaniards, including former Real Sociedad players Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi, secured the win for the English side.
French forward Kylian Mbappe put on a show for Real Madrid as he scored two goals to secure a 2-1 victory against Marseille in their Champions League opener. Despite Madrid going down to 10 men and Marseille taking an early lead, Mbappe's goals proved to be the difference for the Spanish giants. The game was not without controversy as both teams had penalty calls, but Mbappe's successful conversion secured the win for Madrid, who are looking to make a strong comeback in the Champions League after seeing their rival PSG win it last season.
Indian cricketer Prithvi Shaw showed his softer side by sharing an endearing message for social media influencer and actress Akriti Agarwal. The duo recently celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi together, giving fans a glimpse of their camaraderie. Despite facing a setback in the 2025 IPL auction, Shaw is determined to make a strong comeback with his new team and has been working hard to improve his batting skills, according to Maharashtra's chief selector Akshay Darekar.
With a chance to continue their winning streak, Manchester United head to the Etihad for a heated derby match against Manchester City. Despite City's recent struggles, United should not underestimate their rivals as both teams are vying for dominance in the Premier League. However, with last season's win at the Etihad and a confident Ruben Amorim at the helm, United are poised to secure another victory. Meanwhile, the speculation surrounding the future of Manchester United's manager continues, with names like Zinedine Zidane and Sean Dyche being thrown into the mix.
In a thrilling match at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, Spanish champions Barcelona put on a masterclass performance against Valencia. The highlight of the game was Marcus Rashford's top-notch assist for Barcelona's second goal, showing his potential as a loanee from Manchester United. With Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski also scoring and the use of VAR, it was a night to remember for Barcelona's fans.
After being sidelined for 383 days due to a major injury, FC Barcelona's Marc Bernal made a stunning comeback during the team's clash with Valencia. The 18-year-old was greeted by a standing ovation from his teammates and fans as he stepped onto the pitch. In just a few minutes, he made an impact by assisting in the team's 6-0 win. This comeback marks a major milestone in Bernal's journey as a player and he will be looking to continue building on this next step in his career.
In a thrilling and high stakes match, India proved their superiority over Pakistan, winning by seven wickets. However, the Indian team's decision to not shake hands with their opponents and captain Suryakumar Yadav's dedication of the win to the armed forces sparked controversy and questions. India's victory was aided by impressive performances from players like Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Abhishek Sharma, who was hailed by Suryakumar as the player of the match. The win has secured India a spot in the Super 4s of the Asia Cup, making it a happy birthday for Suryakumar, who also achieved his personal goal of staying on the crease till the end. With the return of Sourav Ganguly as the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal, Indian cricket is looking to maintain its strong and successful legacy.
India's Kuldeep Yadav takes 3 wickets and Suryakumar Yadav dedicates win to Armed Forces at post-match presentation while Afridi's 36 runs not enough for Pakistan In a highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup, Pakistan's batting proved to be no match for India's spinners, with Kuldeep Yadav taking 3 wickets and restricting Pakistan to 127 runs. Suryakumar Yadav also shone with his statement dedicating the win to India's Armed Forces. In a dominant display, India easily chased the target in just 16 overs with a brilliant performance from Suryakumar and Afridi's cameo not enough for Pakistan.