Day three of the Paris Paralympics 2024 saw Indian shooter Rubina Francis bring home the country's fourth medal from the shooting range with a bronze in the women's 10m air pistol SH1 event. The shuttlers also guaranteed India a medal with Sukant Kadam and Suhas Yathiraj advancing to the men's singles SL4 semifinal clash. However, there was heartbreak for the Indian archers as Sarita Kumari and Sheetal Devi suffered defeats in the quarterfinals and last-16 stage, respectively.
Triumph and Heartbreak at the Paris Paralympics 2024
The third day of the Paris Paralympics 2024 witnessed a mix of triumph and heartbreak for the Indian contingent.
Indian Shooter Rubina Francis Wins Bronze
Rubina Francis clinched India's fourth shooting medal at the games, capturing bronze in the women's 10m air pistol SH1 event. The seasoned shooter displayed remarkable precision and composure, showcasing her mettle on the world stage.
Shuttlers Advance to Semifinals
In badminton, Sukant Kadam and Suhas Yathiraj secured India's first medal in the sport by advancing to the men's singles SL4 semifinal clash. Their impressive performances have guaranteed India a medal in the event.
Archers Suffer Quarterfinal and Last-16 Defeat
Despite a promising start, India's archers faced disappointment. Sarita Kumari bowed out in the quarterfinals, while Sheetal Devi lost in the last-16 stage. The archers' hopes of adding to India's medal tally were dashed for the day.
Background
The Paralympic Games are a multi-sport event for athletes with physical, intellectual, and sensory disabilities. Held every four years, the games were first organized in Rome in 1960. The 2024 edition is the 17th Paralympic Games and is scheduled to take place from August 28 to September 8, 2024, in Paris, France.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
Q: What is the Paralympic symbol? A: The Paralympic symbol consists of three agitos, which are arc shapes representing the mind, body, and spirit, depicted in blue, red, and green colors.
Q: What are the different sport classes in the Paralympics? A: Athletes in the Paralympics compete in various sport classes based on their specific disabilities. These classes include:
Q: Who was the first Indian to win a Paralympic medal? A: Murlikant Petkar won the first Paralympic medal for India in 1972 by winning a bronze medal in swimming.
Q: What is the largest contingent India has ever sent to the Paralympic Games? A: India sent its largest contingent of 54 athletes to the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.
Q: What is the goal of the Paralympic Games? A: The Paralympic Games' primary goal is to foster inclusivity and showcase the abilities of athletes with disabilities. They aim to create a platform that celebrates athleticism, determination, and the power of the human spirit.
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.
The India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 has been a controversial topic, with some calling for it to be cancelled following recent events. However, the Indian Supreme Court has given the green signal for the match to proceed, citing the new Sports Bill which allows for multi-team tournaments but restricts bilateral ties. The court also declined to list an urgent PIL seeking cancellation of the match.
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to kick off their journey in the highly anticipated Asia Cup 2025 with a clash against each other. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India is seen as one of the leading contenders for the title, with a strong batting unit and a well-rounded bowling attack. On the other hand, UAE, led by Muhammad Waseem, is the underdog in this match, but will aim to put up a tough fight in front of their home crowd. With live streaming and telecast details available, fans are eagerly waiting for the showdown between these two teams.
Ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah proved why he's considered one of the best bowlers in the world as he made a successful T20I comeback against UAE in the Asia Cup 2025. With a searing yorker, Bumrah knocked over opening batter Alishan Sharafu, giving his team an early breakthrough. However, former India captain Ajay Jadeja felt that the star bowler should have been rested for the match against a weaker UAE side. Although there are concerns about his workload, Bumrah continues to shine on the field.
In their opening game of the 2025 Asia Cup, India displayed a dominant performance against the UAE, winning by a staggering margin of 103 runs. Kuldeep Yadav's four-wicket haul and Suryakumar Yadav's captaincy and batting prowess led the team to victory. This marks India's first T20 match since February and the team showed no signs of rustiness, asserting their status as one of the top teams in the format.