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Yuvaraja Karunakaran

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Paralympics: How did athletes change India's perception of Disability and Sports?

Paralympics: How did athletes change India's perception of Disability and Sports?

Paralympics: How did athletes change India's perception of Disability and Sports?

The 2020 Tokyo Paralympics was a game-changer for India. The Tokyo Paralympics edition smashed stereotypes and kickstarted a revolution in the way Indian society looked at disability and sports. The record-breaking performances by our athletes fueled the nation's hopes for success at the Paris Paralympics 2024. Equality and Sports fame are hard-earned in India. But the Tokyo Paralympics 2020 turned things around. India won 19 medals at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics five gold, eight silver and six bronze. This 19-medal haul showcased exceptional talent by our athletes and bridged the gap between the Indian audience and Paralympic sports. Ahead of the Paris Paralympics 2024, we take a look at how our athletes changed India's perception of disability and sports.

Paralympics: How did athletes change India's perception of Disability and Sports?

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 5 days left for the 2024 Paris Paralympics, here's how our athletes changed India's perception of disability and sports.

1. India’s best-ever Paralympics - 2020 Tokyo Paralympics

The India Paralympics contingent had a total of 54 athletes participating in the 2020 Summer Paralympic Games. India won 19 medals at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics five gold, eight silver and six bronze. It was India’s best-ever Paralympics. Shooting emerged as the biggest contributor for India with 5 medals, followed by high jump and badminton with 4 medals each. The 2020 Tokyo Paralympics campaign was a historic one for India, with star shooter Avani Lekhara becoming the first Indian woman to win a Paralympic gold medal. Bhavina Patel became the first Indian table tennis player to win a Paralympic medal and Harvinder Singh became the first Indian to win a Paralympic medal in archery.

Dominance at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics was not restricted only to the India para-shooting contingent. History was scripted through the Para-badminton events as well. Para-badminton turned out to be another goldmine for India as Pramod Bhagat and Krishna Nagar won gold medals in the men's singles SL3 and SH6 events, respectively. Star Para-badminton player Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj was the first civil servant to win a Paralympic silver medal in SL4 men's singles. As the Tokyo Paralympics gold medalist Sumit Antil rightly puts it, "Abhi log hamara naam toh jante hain," it will be interesting to see whether the India Paralympics team can better their medal tally in the Paris Paralympics 2024.

India's medals list at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics

Athlete Medal Event
Bhavina Patel Silver Women’s singles table tennis Class 4 category
Nishad Kumar Silver Men's high jump T47
Avani Lekhara Gold Women's 10m air rifle shooting standing SH1
Devendra Jhajharia Silver Men's javelin throw F46
Sundar Singh Gurjar Bronze Men's javelin throw F46
Yogesh Kathuniya Silver Men's discus throw F56
Sumit Antil Gold Men's javelin throw F64
Singhraj Adhana Bronze Men's 10m air pistol shooting SH1
Mariyappan Thangavelu Silver Men's high jump T42
Sharad Kumar Bronze Men's high jump T42
Praveen Kumar Silver Men's high jump T64
Avani Lekhara Bronze Women's 50m rifle 3 positions shooting SH1
Harvinder Singh Bronze Men's individual recurve - open archery
Manish Narwal Gold Men's 50m pistol SH1
Singhraj Adhana Silver Men's 50m pistol SH1
Pramod Bhagat Gold Men's singles badminton SL3
Manoj Sarkar Bronze Men's singles badminton SL3
Suhas Yathiraj Silver Men's singles badminton SL4
Krishna Nagar Gold Men's singles badminton SH6

2. The Indian Paralympics team is all set to put on their best-ever performance

The Indian Paralympics team is all set for the 2024 Paralympic Games with its largest-ever Paralympics contingent. With 5 days left for the Paris Paralympics 2024 which is starting on August 28, the India Paralympics team is training harder than ever to put on their best-ever performance following the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics success. The 84-member squad is a perfect combination of experienced Paralympians and young athletes. Sumit Antil, Avani Lekhara, Manish Narwal and Krishna Nagar are all set to lead the Indian team with their impressive track records and recent successes. They are joined by Sheetal Devi, Manasi Joshi, Mona Agarwal, Bhagyashree Jadhav and Harvinder Singh who are all ready to clinch gold medals at the Paris Paralympics.

3. What are the expectations and where can we watch the Paris Paralympics 2024 from India?

Amidst all the buzz, it will be interesting to see whether the India Paralympics team can better their medal tally in Paris Paralympics 2024. The 2024 Paralympic Games are just around the corner and will run from August 28 to September 8. Fans can catch 16 sports in action on Saturday, August 31. The opening ceremony of this summer’s Paralympics takes place on Wednesday, August 28. Fans in the Indian subcontinent can catch all the live action on TV and live streaming. 100 Sports Management has secured broadcasting and digital media rights for the Paris Paralympics 2024 in India, ensuring wide accessibility and celebrating the resilience and achievements of these exceptional athletes.

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