As the Paris 2024 Paralympics get underway, India is set to send its largest-ever delegation of 84 para-athletes, marking a historic milestone for the nation. The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) announced on Wednesday that the country will compete in 12 sports, with the addition of para cycling, para rowing, and blind judo for the first time in its Paralympic history.
Leading India’s medal hopes is javelin thrower Sumit Antil, who previously won gold at the Tokyo Paralympics in the men’s F64 category. Antil’s impressive record includes breaking the world record four times, with his latest throw of 73.29 meters at the 2022 Asian Para Games still holding the world best. He also clinched gold at the 2024 World Para Athletic Championships in Kobe.
Another star to watch is rifle shooter Avani Lekhara, who made history at the Tokyo Paralympics by becoming the first Indian woman to win a Paralympic gold medal. Lekhara added more honors in 2024 by securing two bronze medals at the Para Shooting World Cup in New Delhi.
High jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu, India’s first Paralympic gold medalist since 2004, also returns to the Paralympic stage. Thangavelu’s accomplishments include gold at Rio 2016 and silver at Tokyo 2020.
Para archer Sheetal Devi has captured the nation’s attention as the first international para archery champion without upper limbs. Her breakthrough at the 2022 Asian Para Games, where she won multiple medals, has set her up as a strong contender in Paris.
In para badminton, India boasts medal hopes in Krishna Nagar and Suhas Yathiraj. Nagar, who won gold in Tokyo, added another gold at the 2024 World Championship. Yathiraj, the world No. 1, is also a silver medalist from Tokyo and the first Indian bureaucrat to win a Paralympic medal.
Table tennis star Bhavina Patel aims to upgrade her silver from Tokyo 2020 to gold in Paris. Patel’s remarkable journey includes gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and multiple medals at the Asian Para Table Tennis Championships.
Among other top athletes are discus thrower Yogesh Kathuniya, who won silver at the Tokyo Paralympics, and Thulasimathi Murugesan, a rising star in para badminton with three medals at the 2022 Asian Para Games. High jumper Nishad, who won silver in Tokyo, rounds out a formidable Indian contingent poised for success at the 2024 Paralympics.
The Paralympic Committee of India remains optimistic about a strong performance, inspired by the growing achievements of its athletes on the global stage.
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