India has achieved its best-ever medal haul at the Paralympics, surpassing its previous record from Tokyo. On Tuesday, the country’s track and field athletes played a pivotal role in bringing India’s total to 20 medals—3 gold, 7 silver, and 10 bronze—surpassing the 19 medals won in Tokyo three years ago.
The record-breaking performance featured a strong finish by India’s javelin throwers. Ajeet Singh and world record holder Sundar Singh Gurjar clinched silver and bronze in the F46 category with throws of 65.62m and 64.96m, respectively. This category is for athletes with moderate movement impairment or limb absence.
High jumpers Sharad Kumar and Mariyappan Thangavelu also contributed significantly, winning silver and bronze in the T63 finals with jumps of 1.88m and 1.85m. The T63 category is for athletes with limited movement in one leg or the absence of limbs above the knee.
In addition, Deepthi Jeevanji secured a bronze in the women’s 400m (T20) event with a time of 55.82 seconds. Jeevanji, a 20-year-old sprinter, made her Paralympic debut and performed impressively, finishing behind Ukraine’s Yuliia Shuliar and Turkey’s Aysel Onder.
Avani Lekhara, a prominent Indian shooter, fell short of a second medal, finishing fifth in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 competition. Despite this, Lekhara made history as the first Indian woman to win consecutive Paralympic gold medals in shooting.
Bhagyashri Jadhav finished fifth in the women’s shot put (F34) with a throw of 7.28m. Jadhav, who made a comeback after an accident that led to the loss of her legs, showed resilience and strength throughout her career.
Archer Pooja Jatyan’s campaign ended in the quarterfinals of the recurve women’s open archery competition. Jatyan, who initially led against China’s Wu Chunyan, struggled to maintain her advantage and ultimately lost in the final stage.
The remarkable achievements of Indian athletes reflect the nation’s growing prominence in Paralympic sports. With these successes, India is not only celebrating its record-breaking medal tally but also showcasing the exceptional talent and determination of its para-athletes.
As the Paralympic Games continue, India’s impressive performance highlights the potential of its athletes and their dedication to achieving excellence on the global stage.