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Yuvaraja Karunakaran

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India Paralympics: A look at India's top 7 medal prospects in Paris

India Paralympics: A look at India's top 6 medal prospects in Paris

India Paralympics: A look at India's top 7 medal prospects in Paris

The Indian contingent didn't secure a single gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, as they clinched five bronze and one silver medal. 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. India prepares to put on their best-ever performance in the Paris Paralympics 2024 with its largest-ever Paralympics contingent. With 6 days left for the Paris Paralympics 2024, here's a look at the India Paralympics team's top 6 medal prospects in Paris.

India Paralympics: A look at India's top 6 medal prospects in Paris

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. Star Indian javelin thrower Sumit Antil is also one of India's flagbearers at the Paris Paralympics 2024 opening ceremony. 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. Here are the India Paralympics team's top 6 medal prospects in Paris.

1. Avani Lekhara: Para-Shooting 10m air rifle shooting standing SH1

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 Lekhara 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.

2. Sumit Antil: Para-athletics javelin throw F64 category

India's javelin thrower Sumit Antil thrice broke his own world record to win gold in the men's javelin throw F64 category. The 23-year-old began with a 66.95m throw, beating his previous world record of 62.88m. In his second attempt, Sumit Antil once again made a new world record with a 68.08m throw. Sumit Antil's fifth throw of 68.55m in the final earned him a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. The star Indian javelin thrower added that after the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, he focused more on practising instead of participating in different competitions. He has improved his performance setting a new world record of 73.29 meters at the 2022 Asian Para Games and winning the gold medal at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships. Sumit Antil's exceptional form and previous successes make him a leading contender for gold in Paris.

3. Manasi Joshi: Para-Badminton

7-time World Championships medallist and a top-ranked player in women's singles Manasi Joshi is a key figure in the Indian para-badminton contingent. Her achievements and competitive edge make her a significant medal hopeful for Paris. The star India para-shuttler is a seven-time medallist at the World Championships and has also finished at the podium thrice at the Asian Games. She had scaled to the top of the rankings in the women's singles standings in 2022 for a brief period too. Manasi Joshi will be looking to win the Gold medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games.

4. Sheetal Devi: Para-Archery

At the age of 17, Sheetal Devi is a rising star in para-archery. She won gold medals in the individual compound and mixed team compound events at the 2022 Asian Para Games, and her consistent performances on the global stage make her a promising medal prospect for the India Paralympics team. Star Indian para-archer Sheetal Devi is the first and the only international para-archery champion without upper limbs. Sheetal is confident of bagging the gold medal at the Paris Paralympics 2024. The Para archery ranking round starts with the first medal events scheduled for Saturday, August 31.

5. Manish Narwal: Para-Shooting 50m pistol SH1 event

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 accolades place him among the top competitors in Paris.

6. Krishna Nagar: Para-Badminton SH6 class

Star India para shuttler Krishna Nagar is one of India's top medal prospects. Krishna had previously won a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics and he will be high on confidence taking the field in the men’s para-badminton singles SH6 event. The 25-year-old para-shuttler from Jaipur ensured he closed India’s campaign at the Tokyo Paralympics on a high after winning the gold medal in men's singles badminton SH6 class. The final against Hong Kong’s Chu Man Kai was a thriller with the Indian having the last laugh and winning the match 21-17, 16-21, 21-17 to clinch gold. Krishna Nagar will look to defend his title in the 2024 Summer Paralympic Games.

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