Can India’s Para-Athletes Top Their Tokyo Performance?
Paralympics India : India’s para-athletes have come a long way, and this year’s Paralympics promises to be a historic event for the country. With 84 Indian para-athletes set to compete in 12 different sports, India’s largest-ever contingent is ready to make a mark on the world stage. This is a significant leap from the 54-member team that competed across nine sports in Tokyo. But with increased participation, the question on everyone’s mind is: Can India secure more medals this time around?
A Journey of Perseverance and Progress
India’s journey in the Paralympics began with Murlikant Petkar’s gold medal at the 1972 Heidelberg Paralympics. It took another 32 years for India to secure a second gold, which came through Devendra Jhajharia in 2004. Over the last decade, India’s performance in para-sports has seen a remarkable improvement. At the Tokyo Paralympics, secured a record-breaking 19 medals, including five golds. The momentum continued at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Para Games, where India bagged a record 111 medals, with 29 of them being gold.
Sumit Antil: Aiming for the Stars
Among the key names leading India’s charge is Sumit Antil, a para javelin thrower in the F64 category. Sumit’s performance in Tokyo was nothing short of extraordinary. He won the gold medal with a best attempt of 68.55 meters, breaking the world record thrice in the process. Since then, Sumit has further bettered the world record, first at the Para World Championships with a throw of 70.83 meters, and then at the Para Asian Games with a throw of 73.29 meters. Sumit, who lost a limb in a road accident nine years ago, is confident about India’s prospects in Paris. “This is the first time that we have such a big contingent going, and with so much hope. We are expecting 25 plus medals,” says Sumit, who will be India’s flag bearer along with Bhagyashri Jadhav at the opening ceremony in Paris.
Avani Lekhara: Shooting for Glory
Three years ago, at the Tokyo Paralympics, Avani Lekhara made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Paralympics. At just 19 years old, Avani also became the first female para-athlete from India to win multiple medals at a single Paralympic Games. Her journey is nothing short of inspirational. At the age of 11, Avani turned paraplegic following a car accident. Despite the challenges, she took up shooting and made her Paralympic debut in Tokyo. This year, Avani faces competition from fellow Indian 10m air rifle shooter Mona Agarwal, who won gold at the Para Shooting World Cup in March. “There is a lot more awareness now about para sport,” says Avani. “After the Paralympics medals, shooting has grown. New shooters are coming up, and our team has many new faces this time. We are hoping to do better than in Tokyo.”
Sheetal Devi: A Rising Star in Para-Archery
One of the most inspiring stories in India’s para team is that of Sheetal Devi, a 17-year-old from Jammu born with a rare congenital condition called phocomelia. Despite being born without arms, Sheetal has made a name for herself in the world of para-archery. Much like para-archery legend Mark Stutzman, Sheetal uses her legs and feet to draw the bow and shoot. Her recent achievements include a silver medal in the compound women’s open at the 2023 World Para Archery Championships, and gold medals in both individual compound and mixed team events at the 2023 Asian Para Games. Currently ranked number one in the compound women’s open category, Sheetal is one to watch out for in Paris.
Krishna Nagar: Defending the Title
Krishna Nagar, the reigning world champion in the men’s singles SH6 category, is determined to defend his title in Paris. Growing up, Krishna faced bullying due to his dwarfism. However, his love for sports saw him dabble in various disciplines, including cricket, volleyball, long jump, and football. It was in 2017 that badminton became his calling. At the Tokyo Paralympics, the 25-year-old from Jaipur became only the second Indian badminton player, after Pramod Bhagat, to win a gold medal at the Paralympics. This year, Krishna enters Paris with the aim of retaining his title, especially since five-time world champion Bhagat will not be competing due to an 18-month suspension.
Yogesh Kathuniya: Aiming for Records
Yogesh Kathuniya’s journey is a testament to resilience and determination. Diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome at a young age, a neurological disorder that caused quadriparesis, Yogesh faced immense challenges. However, with the support of his mother, who studied physiotherapy to help him, Yogesh was able to regain mobility. In 2018, at the Berlin Para Athletics Grand Prix, Yogesh set a world record with a 45.18-meter throw in the men’s discus F36 event. He went on to win a silver medal in the F56 discus event at the Tokyo Paralympics. Since then, Yogesh has continued to break records, including a world record throw of 48.34 meters in 2022. As he heads to Paris, the 27-year-old is once again aiming to shatter records.
Paris Paralympics 2024: A New Chapter
The 2024 Paralympics in Paris marks a new chapter for India’s para-athletes. With a record 84 athletes, the largest-ever para-contingent, India is set to make its presence felt on the global stage. The optimism surrounding the team is palpable, with many hoping that this year’s Paralympics will see surpass its previous medal tallies.
Devendra Jhajharia: Leading from the Front
Leading the charge is Devendra Jhajharia, a double Paralympic medalist and the current president of the Paralympic Committee of India. Jhajharia, who has been a trailblazer for Indian para-athletes, is confident about India’s prospects in Paris. “Hopes are high as the largest-ever para-contingent of 84 athletes will be seen at venues where India got five medals earlier this month,” says Jhajharia. As the 2024 Paralympic Games get underway, India will be looking to continue its upward trajectory, building on the success of previous games.
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Conclusion: The Future of Indian Para-Sports
The stage is set, the athletes are prepared, and the nation is hopeful. As India’s para-athletes gear up for the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, the expectations are high. The increased participation, the inspiring stories, and the incredible talent in the team all point towards a successful outing. Whether India surpasses its Tokyo performance or not, one thing is certain: the journey of India’s para-athletes is a story of resilience, determination, and the unwavering spirit of sportsmanship.
