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The Indian para shooting team has been on a remarkable journey, one that began with their extraordinary performances at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. The 2024 Paralympic Games are just around the corner and will run from August 28 to September 8. Amidst the excitement, Tokyo Paralympics gold medallist Sumit Antil and Asian Para Games silver medallist Bhagyashree Jadhav have been selected as India's flagbearers for the 2024 Paralympics opening ceremony. The Paralympics have seen individual athletes take up the role of bringing glory to the country. Indian para shooters prepare to put on their best-ever performance in the Paris Paralympics 2024 with its largest-ever Paralympics contingent. With 6 days left, here's a look at the India para shooting contingent's medal chances at the Paris Paralympics 2024.
A look at India para shooting contingent's medal chances at the Paris Paralympics 2024
After sending a record number of 117 individuals to the Paris Olympics, India prepares to send its largest-ever Paralympic team to the games. A total of 84 athletes have been shortlisted for the 2024 Summer Paralympic Games. In just a few weeks, we'll have another chance to cheer our fellow Indian athletes. India Paralympics history is filled with medals and a series of controversies over the years. Overall India has participated in 12 editions of the Paralympic Games, winning a total of 31 medals, including nine gold, 12 silver and 10 bronze since its introduction in 1960. The 2020 Tokyo Paralympics marked a defining moment for the India para shooting contingent, as the team captured the nation’s eyeballs with a dazzling display of skill and resilience. The India para shooters made history by securing an impressive tally of 5 medals including 2 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze placing India on the global stage. Here's a look at the India para shooting contingent's medal chances at the Paris Paralympics 2024.
1. Avani Lekhara and Manish Narwal are all set to lead the Indian para-shooting team
The 19-year-old Avani Lekhara won a historic gold medal in her debut Paralympics campaign, shooting a new Paralympic record score of 249.6 in the women's 10m air rifle shooting standing SH1 final in Tokyo. It made Avani Lekhara the first Indian woman to win a Paralympic gold medal. Avani beat defending Paralympic champion Cuiping Zhang of China and reigning world champion Iryna Shchetnik of Ukraine in the final to win the gold medal. Avani Lekhara looks poised to win yet another gold medal in Paris.
🇮🇳's @AvaniLekhara talks about her first experience at a Paralympic Games at #Tokyo2020 🥇🥉
— Shooting Para Sport (@ShootingPara) August 8, 2024
Soon #Paris2024 #ShootingParaSport @Paralympics @ParalympicIndia pic.twitter.com/KYFTHVN3hu
On the flip side, star India para shooter Manish Narwal claimed the men's 50m pistol SH1 shooting gold medal with a Paralympic record-setting score at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. He qualified for the final finishing 7th in qualifying but made a new world record in the medal round shooting 218.2. Having clinched gold in the mixed 50m pistol SH1 event at Tokyo 2020, Manish Narwal's sharp shooting skills and previous achievements place him among the top India Paralympics medal prospects.
🇮🇳 Meet Manish Narwal - India’s Shooting Sensation 🇮🇳
— Paralympic Committee of India (@PCI_IN_Official) July 26, 2024
Manish Narwal has been making waves in the world of para shooting with his incredible achievements and unwavering dedication. Born on October 17, 2001, Manish is a para pistol shooter who began his journey in 2016 in… pic.twitter.com/nEWHhq4Uxp
2. A look at India para shooting contingent's form in Paralympics
Star India para-shooter Manish Narwal took the Mixed 50m Pistol SH1 event by storm, securing the gold medal with a new Paralympic record of 218.2. His composure under pressure was nothing short of remarkable. His fellow teammate Singhraj Adhana brought home a silver medal in the Mixed 50m Pistol SH1 and a bronze in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol SH1. On the flip side, Avani Lekhara became a household name by clinching gold in the Women's 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 with a stunning performance that set a new Paralympic record at 249.6. She followed up her golden triumph with a bronze in the Women's 50m Rifle Three Positions SH1, demonstrating her consistency across disciplines. The star India trio have inspired a new generation of para-athletes in India.
We’re all set for the @paris2024 Paralympic Games. Had the honour and pleasure to interact with Hon. Min of Sports @mansukhmandviya sir and Hon. Min of State for Sports @khadseraksha maam and PCI President @DevJhajharia sir. Thanked them for their support and wishes pic.twitter.com/02qdLp8BZa
— Avani Lekhara अवनी लेखरा PLY (@AvaniLekhara) August 16, 2024
3. The Indian para-shooting team is all set to put on their best-ever performance
Indian para shooters are all set for the 2024 Paralympic Games with its largest-ever Paralympics contingent. With 6 days left for the Paris Paralympics 2024 which is starting on August 28, the Indian para shooting team is training harder than ever to put on their best-ever performance following the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics success. The ten-member squad is a perfect combination of experienced Paralympians and young shooters. Avani Lekhara and Manish Narwal are all set to lead the Indian team with their impressive track records and recent successes. They are joined by Mona Agarwal, Rudransh Khandelwal, Sidhartha Babu, Nihal Singh, Swaroop Unhalkar, Rubina Francis, Amir Ahmad Bhat and Sriharsha Ramakrishna who are all ready to clinch gold medals at the Paris Paralympics.
Para Shooter Singhraj Adhana wishes good luck to Indian contingent for Paris Olympic#CHEER4BHARAT #Paris2024 #TeamIndia @SinghrajAdhana @gaurav20oct pic.twitter.com/tSM5JsyULS
— DD News (@DDNewslive) July 19, 2024