India’s top 6 medal hopes for the Paris 2024 Paralympics include Sumit Antil, Sheetal Devi, Avani Lekhara, Krishna Nagar and others. Get the full details here.
The 2024 Paralympics is set to begin on August 28 and will run until September 8, 2024, in Paris, France. India will be sending its largest-ever contingent of 84 athletes across 12 sports, aiming to surpass its previous medal tally of 19 from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. This article highlights six standout Indian athletes who are expected to be medal contenders in the upcoming Paris games. It details their achievements, the events they will participate in, the schedule of those events, and their potential for success.
Top Six Medal Hopes at the Paris 2024 Paralympics for India
Here are 6 athletes who are the top medal contenders for India in this year’s Paralympic games:
Mariyappan Thangavelu: High Jump (T63 Category)
Mariyappan Thangavelu won gold in the men’s high jump T42 at the 2016 Rio Paralympics and secured silver in the T63 category at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. He recently clinched his first gold medal at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships, clearing a height of 1.88m in the T63 event.
Event: Men’s High Jump
Event Schedule: Date: September 3, 2024
Category: T63
Category Description: The T63 classification is for athletes with single through knee or above-knee limb deficiency competing with a prosthesis.
Thangavelu’s determination and experience position him as a formidable competitor in Paris, as he aims to reclaim his title.
Avani Lekhara: Shooting (R2 & R3 Categories)
Avani Lekhara made history at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics by becoming the first Indian woman to win a gold medal and the first to secure multiple medals in a single edition. She competes in the R2 (Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1) and R3 (Mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone SH1) categories.
Events:
- Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing
- Mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone
Event Schedule:
- R2: August 30, 2024 (Qualifying at 12:30 PM, Final at 3:15 PM)
- R3: September 1, 2024 (Qualifying at 1:00 PM, Final at 4:30 PM)
Categories:
- R2 (Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1)
- R3 (Mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone SH1)
Category Description: The SH1 category is for athletes with physical impairments who can use a shooting arm and shoulder.
Lekhara’s remarkable journey and past achievements make her a strong contender for gold in Paris as she aims to defend her title.
Sumit Antil: Javelin Throw (F64 Category)
Sumit Antil is a javelin thrower who clinched gold in the F64 category at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, where he broke the world record multiple times. He recently won gold at the 2023 World Para-Athletics Championships, further solidifying his status as a world-class athlete. Sumit is currently the world record holder in the F64 category with a throw of 73.29m, achieved at the 2022 World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai.
Event: Men’s Javelin Throw
Event Schedule:
- Date: September 2, 2024 (Final at 10:30 PM)
Category: F64
Category Description: The F64 category includes athletes with limb impairments competing in standing positions.
Antil’s consistent performance at international events positions him as a favourite to defend his title in Paris.
Krishna Nagar: Badminton (SH6 Category)
Krishna Nagar is set to defend his gold medal in the men’s singles SH6 category. At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, he triumphed against Hong Kong’s Chu Man Kai in a thrilling final. He will be one of the biggest hopes for India at the 2024 Paralympics.
Event: Men’s Singles
Event Schedule:
- Semifinal: September 1, 2024 (subject to qualification)
- Final: September 2, 2024
Category: SH6
Category Description: The SH6 category is designated for athletes with physical impairments affecting their lower limbs.
Significant achievements have marked Nagar’s journey in para-badminton, and is expected to be a strong contender for another gold medal in Paris.
Suhas Yathiraj: Badminton (SL4 & SL3-SU5 Categories)
Suhas Yathiraj, an IAS officer and the first Indian bureaucrat to win a Paralympic medal competes in SL4 singles and SL3-SU5 mixed doubles event. Suhas is currently ranked No.1 in the SL4 Singles category. He bagged a silver at Tokyo 2020 and recently won gold at the 2024 Para-Badminton World Championships.
Events:
- Men’s Singles
- Mixed Doubles
Event Schedule:
- Mixed Doubles Semifinal: August 31, 2024 (7:30 PM)
- Men’s Singles Semifinal: September 1, 2024 (subject to qualification)
- Men’s Singles Final: September 2, 2024 (subject to qualification)
Categories: SL4 & SL3-SU5
Category Description: The SL4 category includes athletes with minor limb impairments, while the SL3-SU5 category is for athletes with varying disabilities competing in mixed doubles.
Sheetal Devi: Archery (Compound Open Category)
At just 17 years old, Sheetal Devi is the youngest member of the Indian contingent and a prominent figure in para archery. Born with Phocomelia, a rare congenital disorder that leads to underdeveloped limbs, she competes in the Women’s Individual Compound Open and Mixed Team Compound Open categories.
She won two gold medals in the 2022 Asian Para Games (women’s compound bow) in the mixed doubles and women’s categories. Apart from the two gold medals, she also won silver in the women’s doubles compound event.
Events:
- Women’s Compound Open
- Mixed Team Compound Open
Event Schedule:
- Ranking Rounds: August 29, 2024 (4:30 PM)
- Early Knockout Rounds: August 30, 2024 (12:30 PM, subject to performance)
- Mixed Team Pre-QF to Semis: September 2, 2024 (7:00 PM)
- Mixed Team Medal Matches: September 2, 2024 (10:35 PM and 10:55 PM, subject to qualification)
Category: Compound Open
Sheetal was awarded the Best Youth Athlete award from the Asian Paralympic Committee. In 2023, She was conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award. Sheetal Devi remains a powerful inspiration, demonstrating remarkable skill and perseverance in archery by using only her lower limbs.
For the latest information on the Indian contingent at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, check out this article: India at the Paris Paralympics 2024: Opening Ceremony, Schedules, Flag Bearers, Medal Hopes and How to Watch Guide
Conclusion
As the Paris 2024 Paralympics commence, the aspirations of millions are vested in the resilience and prowess of these athletes. Thangavelu, Avani, Sumit, Sheetal and their peers embody the spirit of determination and excellence that defines para-sports in India. Their journeys serve as a wellspring of inspiration for their fellow athletes and the entire nation.
Let us unite in fervent support of their quest for victory, and jubilation of their accomplishments on the global stage.
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