Indian athlete Praveen Kumar made history at the 2024 Paris Paralympics as he secured the gold medal in the men's high jump T64 event. Hailing from Noida, Kumar overcame his moderate movement impairment in one lower leg and outpaced five competitors with a jump of 2.08 meters to clinch the top spot on the podium. This is Kumar's second consecutive Paralympic medal, following his silver at the Tokyo 2021 games, and adds to India's growing success at the 2024 Paralympics. Mentored by renowned coach Dr Satyapal Singh, Kumar's impressive accomplishments also include a gold at the 2022 Asian Para Games and a bronze at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championship.
Para high jumper Sharad Kumar, trained by a coach he has not been able to meet in two years due to war, claimed a silver medal at the Paris Paralympics, with his compatriot Mariyappan Thangavelu winning bronze in the same event. The athlete, who trained under his Ukrainian coach in the second largest city of Ukraine, Kharkiv, has spoken about the impact of the ongoing war in the country on his coach and his family. Kumar, who also suffered a paralysis in his leg due to spurious polio medication, overcame an anxious moment on the night before the final by talking to his family in India and reading the Bhagavad Gita, before ultimately winning a bronze medal at the Tokyo Paralympics. He described sports as both an art and a war, and acknowledged the improving level of competition in para athletics in India and other countries.
Sonipat's Sumit Antil has made India proud once again by breaking the Paralympics javelin record not once, but twice during the F64 final at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris. Antil's impressive 70.59-meter throw secured him the gold medal and a new world record, surpassing his own record set at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021. Antil's consistent performance and dedication to the sport have solidified India's presence in global athletics and inspired countless athletes worldwide.
India is hoping to surpass its record-breaking performance at the Tokyo Paralympics with a strong showing at the upcoming Paris Games in various sports, including para athletics, badminton, and archery. Rising star Sumit Antil, who won gold and broke a world record in Tokyo, is expected to lead the charge for India and make history once again. Other top Indian athletes like Mariyappan Thangavelu, Avani Lekhara, Sheetal Devi, and Krishna Nagar will also be aiming for medals in their respective events. With high hopes and determination, the Indian contingent is ready to make its mark on the international stage.
Indian sprinter Preethi Pal made her mark at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris by becoming the first Indian woman to win two track & field medals in either the Paralympics or Olympics. She achieved this feat by winning bronze in the women's 200m T35, with a personal best of 30.01 seconds, and also taking home bronze in the women's 100m-T35. Born with physical challenges and facing doubts about her survival, Preethi showed incredible strength and resilience to become a successful athlete under the guidance of her mentor, Paralympian Fathima Khatoon. With dedicated training and fine-tuning of her running techniques, Preethi proved that she is a true fighter on the track.
On the fourth day of the Paris Paralympics, India secured two more medals in the track & field as well as badminton events. Preeti Pal made history as the first Indian woman track and field athlete to win two medals at the Paralympic Games, while high jumper Nishad Kumar clinched his second successive silver. Despite a heartbreak for para archer Rakesh Kumar, para shuttlers Suhas Yathiraj and Manisha Ramadass assured India of at least two more medals. Additionally, shooter Avani Lekhara missed out on adding another medal to her tally, but badminton player Nitesh Kumar inched closer to India's maiden gold at the Paralympics.
In a valiant effort, Indian para athlete Praveen Kumar finished 8th in the Men's Javelin Throw - F57 Final at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. While Yorkinben Odilov of Uzbekistan set an Asian Record with a throw of 50.32m, Kumar's best throw of 42.12m fell short of the 49.46m mark needed for a bronze medal. Despite this, Kumar's impressive rise in para athletics, including a silver medal at the 2020 Summer Paralympics and a gold at the 2022 Asian Para Games, showcases his potential for future success.
India's highly decorated Paralympic team is gearing up for the upcoming competition in Paris starting August 29th. With a record 84 athletes, India is taking the momentum from their stellar performance at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics, where they secured a total of 19 medals. Athletics has been a strong suit for India at the Paralympics, accounting for 18 of their 31 medals in the history of their participation.
Indian para Olympians have been making history in recent years, and the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris are no exception. With the largest-ever para-contingent from India, the team is expected to exceed their previous medal count of 19. Headliners to watch out for include shooter Avani Lekhara, who became the first Indian female athlete to win a gold medal at the Paralympics, and javelin thrower Sumit Antil, who has already broken the world record multiple times and looks to continue his streak in Paris. The team's president, Devendra Jhajharia, is confident that India will make its mark in the medal tally, showcasing their excellent preparation in various sports, including athletics, badminton, and archery.