Paralympic Games: Meet the athletes behind India's record 55 medals till date 每 A complete list
At the 2024 Paris Paralympics, India has set a new benchmark with a record-breaking 24 medals, its best performance to date. This impressive achievement comes after a history of notable milestones - 31 medals till the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Here's a look at India's performance at Paralympic Games so far.
India has made history at the 2024 Paris Paralympics by sending its largest-ever contingent of 84 para-athletes, significantly boosting its prospects for an impressive medal haul. This increase in participation has paid off spectacularly, as India has already secured 24 medals〞its best-ever performance at the Paralympic Games, surpassing the record set at Tokyo 2020.
India's total Paralympic medal count since its introduction in 1960 had reached 31 before the Paris Paralympics including nine gold, 12 silver, and 10 bronze, marking a remarkable achievement in the country's sporting history.
Adding that to the 2024 Games tally so far, India has an impressive 55 medals in it's kitty.
As we bask in the glory of our current triumph, it's worth reflecting on the past to appreciate how far we have come.
Note: There was a hiatus in 1976 and 1980 when India did not send a delegation.
1972 Heidelberg Paralympics
India's Paralympic journey began with a historic triumph in 1972 when Murlikant Petkar clinched the gold medal in swimming.
Credit: BCCL | India's fist Paralympic gold medallist, Murlikant Petkar
Setting a world record with a time of 37.33 seconds, Petkar secured India's first-ever Paralympic medal in the men＊s 50m freestyle.
1984 Stoke Mandeville/New York Paralympics
In 1984, Joginder Singh Bedi made history as the first para-athlete to win multiple medals in a single Games.
Alongside Bedi, Bhimrao Kesarkar also contributed to India's medal tally, bringing the total to four medals for the event.
Joginder Singh Bedi: Silver in men's shot put L6, Bronze in men's javelin L6, and Bronze in men's discus throw L6.
Bhimrao Kesarkar: Silver in men＊s javelin L6.
2004 Athens Paralympics
The 2004 Athens Games marked the debut of Devendra Jhajharia, a para-athlete who would later become a legend.
Credit: IANS | Devendra Jhajharia
Jhajharia won his first Paralympic gold, while powerlifter Rajinder Singh Rahelu added a bronze to the medal count.
Devendra Jhajharia: Gold in men's javelin F44/46.
Rajinder Singh Rahelu: Bronze in men's powerlifting 56kg.
2012 London Paralympics
At the London Games, Girish Nagarajegowda brought home India's sole medal, a silver in the men's high jump F42, marking a notable achievement for India in a challenging year.
Credit: BCCL | Girish Nagarajegowda
2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympics
The 2016 Rio Games were historic for India, with Devendra Jhajharia winning his second gold and becoming the first Indian para-athlete to achieve this feat.
Alongside Jhajharia, Mariyappan Thangavelu also claimed gold, and Deepa Malik made history as the first Indian woman to win a Paralympic medal.
Credit: ANI, BCCL | Mariyappan Thangavelu and Deepa Malik
Devendra Jhajharia: Gold in men's javelin F46.
Mariyappan Thangavelu: Gold in men's high jump F42.
Deepa Malik: Silver in women's shot put F53.
Varun Singh Bhati: Bronze in men's high jump F42.
2020 Tokyo Paralympics
The Tokyo Games saw India's best-ever performance, with 19 medals including five golds, and a ranking of 24th among 78 nations.
Notable achievements included Avani Lekhara becoming the first Indian woman to win individual gold and multiple medals.
Credit: ANI
Avani Lekhara: Gold in women's 10m air rifle SH1 and Bronze in women＊s 50m rifle 3 positions SH1.
Sumit Antil: Gold in men's javelin throw F64.
Manish Narwal: Gold in mixed 50m pistol SH1.
Pramod Bhagat: Gold in men's singles SL3 (Badminton).
Krishna Nagar: Gold in men's singles SH6 (Badminton).
Bhavina Patel: Silver in women's singles C4 (Table Tennis).
Nishad Kumar: Silver in men's high jump T47.
Yogesh Kathuniya: Silver in men's discus throw F56.
Devendra Jhajharia: Silver in men's javelin F46.
Mariyappan Thangavelu: Silver in men's high jump T63.
Praveen Kumar: Silver in men's high jump T64.
Singhraj Adhana: Silver in men's 50m Pistol SH1.
Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj: Silver in men's singles SL4 (Badminton).
Sundar Singh Gurjar: Bronze in men's javelin throw F46.
Singhraj Adhana: Bronze in men＊s 10m air pistol SH1.
Sharad Kumar: Bronze in men's high jump T63.
Harvinder Singh: Bronze in men's individual recurve open (Archery).
Manoj Sarkar: Bronze in men's singles SL3 (Badminton).
2024 Paris Paralympics
India has surpassed all previous records at the Paris Games with an outstanding total of 24 medals so far.
Athletics has been a major contributor, with five golds in badminton and four in shooting.
Avani Lekhara: Gold in women's 10m air rifle SH1.
Mona Agarwal: Bronze in women's 10m air rifle SH1.
Credit: IANS | Mona Agarwal
Manish Narwal: Silver in men's 10m air pistol SH1.
Preethi Pal: Bronze in women＊s 100m T35 and 200m T35.
CREDIT: ANI | Preethi Pal
Nishad Kumar: Silver in men's high jump T47.
Nitesh Kumar: Gold in men's singles SL3 (Badminton).
Credit: ANI | Nitesh Kumar
Thulasimathi Murugesan: Silver in women's singles SU5 (Badminton).
Manisha Ramadass: Bronze in women's singles SU5 (Badminton).
Suhas Yathiraj: Silver in men's singles SL4 (Badminton).
Credit: REUTERS | Suhas Yathiraj
Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar: Bronze in mixed-team compound (Archery).
Yogesh Kathuniya: Silver in men's discus F56.
Sumit Antil: Gold in men's javelin throw F64.
Credit: ANI | Sumit Antil
Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan: Bronze in women's singles SH6 (Badminton).
Deepthi Jeevanji: Bronze in women's 400m T20.
Sharad Kumar: Silver in men's high jump T63.
Mariyappan Thangavelu: Bronze in men＊s high jump T63.
BCCL | Mariyappan Thangavelu
Ajeet Singh: Silver in men's javelin F46.
Sundar Singh Gurjar: Bronze in men's javelin F46.
Sachin Khilari: Silver in men's shot put F46.
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Harvinder Singh: Gold in men's individual recurve (Archery).
Credit: ANI | Harvinder Singh
Dharambir Nain: Gold in men's club throw F51.
Pranav Soorma: Silver in men's club throw F51.
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