India's record breaking performance at the Paralympics 2024

India's remarkable journey at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris, held from August 28 to September 8, was nothing short of historic. Competing in its 13th appearance at the Paralympic Games, India sent a contingent of 84 athletes who participated across 12 sports. These athletes carried the nation’s hopes and achieved India’s best-ever performance in Paralympic history, winning an impressive total of 29 medals, which included seven gold, nine silver, and thirteen bronze.

A Rising Power in the Paralympic Movement

India has steadily risen as a force in Paralympic sports over the decades. The nation's debut at the Paralympics came in 1968, and since 1984, India has been a consistent participant in every Summer Paralympics. Over the years, athletes have broken barriers, raised standards, and showcased extraordinary talent and grit.

The 2024 Games in Paris saw India's athletes take their performance to the next level, shattering their previous best medal haul of 19 medals from the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

Golden Triumphs

India's gold medal tally was led by extraordinary performances across various sports. Avani Lekhara secured India's first gold in the women’s 10m air rifle event, making her the first Indian woman to win back-to-back gold medals at the Paralympics. Kumar Nitesh claimed India’s second gold in badminton by winning the men’s singles SL3 event, following in the footsteps of Pramod Bhagat, who had won the same event in Tokyo.

Sumit Antil continued his dominance in the men's javelin throw F64 event, winning his second consecutive gold and setting two new Paralympic records. Harvinder Singh brought home India's first Paralympic gold in archery, while Dharambir Nain secured gold in the men’s club throw F51. India also celebrated victories in athletics, with Praveen Kumar winning gold in the men’s high jump T64 event, and Navdeep Singh claiming a gold in the men’s javelin throw F41 after setting a new Paralympic record.

Silver Medal Successes

India’s silver medal winners also made headlines with their extraordinary feats. Manish Narwal added a silver in the men’s 10m air pistol event to his existing gold from the Tokyo Games. Nishad Kumar and Yogesh Kathuniya repeated their stellar performances from Tokyo by winning silver medals in the men's high jump T47 and the men’s discus throw F56 events, respectively.

Badminton continued to be a strong sport for India, with Thulasimathi Murugesan winning silver in the women’s para-badminton event. Suhas Yathiraj and Sharad Kumar, veterans of the Paralympic Games, also added silver medals in their respective events.

A Surge of Bronze Medals

India's bronze medal tally featured a wide range of sports. Mona Agarwal won India’s first bronze in the women’s 10m air rifle event, with Preethi Pal making history by becoming the first Indian woman to win two medals in the same Games. Pal’s achievement in the women’s 100m and 200m T35 races was particularly groundbreaking, securing India’s first-ever track medals in women’s athletics.

India's para-badminton team added two bronze medals to the tally, with Manisha Ramadass and Nithya Sivan shining in their respective events. The youngest Indian Paralympic medalist, Sheetal Devi, made a mark in compound archery with her bronze win, while Kapil Parmar became India’s first Paralympic medalist in Judo. In track and field, Deepthi Jeevanji, Sundar Singh Gurjar, and Mariyappan Thangavelu were among those who contributed to India’s medal success.

A New Chapter in Indian Paralympic History

The 2024 Summer Paralympics showcased not just India’s progress in sports but also its resilience and determination. From the flag bearers at the opening ceremony, Bhagyashree Jadhav and Sumit Antil, to Preethi Pal and Harvinder Singh at the closing, India’s athletes marched with pride, carrying the hopes of a nation.

This Paralympic edition marks a watershed moment for Indian sports, with the highest-ever medal tally, a rich blend of new talents and seasoned athletes, and unforgettable moments of glory. India's 2024 Paralympic journey is a testament to the nation's growing prowess and commitment to excellence in para-sports on the global stage.