India’s performance at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games was one of the nation’s finest, with athletes showing incredible determination and bringing home a record haul of medals. The Indian contingent was celebrated across the country for their inspiring achievements, earning accolades in athletics, badminton, shooting, and more.
India’s Paralympic Success in Paris 2024
India made history at the Paralympic Games Paris 2024 with its best-ever performance, securing a total of 29 medals, including 7 gold, 9 silver, and 13 bronze. Indian para-athletes shone across various disciplines such as athletics, badminton, shooting, and archery, showcasing remarkable resilience and skill on the global stage.
From Avani Lekhara defending her shooting title to Sumit Antil and Nitesh Kumar dominating their respective events, India’s contingent delivered unforgettable performances that left a lasting mark on the Games. This achievement highlights the growth of India’s para-sports and its athletes’ determination to overcome all odds.
Here is a table summarizing India’s medal winners at the Paralympic Games Paris 2024, categorized by sport, event, and the type of medal won:
| No. | Athlete Name | Sport | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avani Lekhara | Shooting | Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 | Gold |
| 2 | Mona Agarwal | Shooting | Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 | Bronze |
| 3 | Preethi Pal | Athletics | Women’s 100m T35 | Bronze |
| 4 | Manish Narwal | Shooting | Men’s 10m Air Pistol SH1 | Silver |
| 5 | Rubina Francis | Shooting | Women’s 10m Air Pistol SH1 | Bronze |
| 6 | Preethi Pal | Athletics | Women’s 200m T35 | Bronze |
| 7 | Nishad Kumar | Athletics | Men’s High Jump T47 | Silver |
| 8 | Yogesh Kathuniya | Athletics | Men’s Discus Throw F56 | Silver |
| 9 | Nitesh Kumar | Badminton | Men’s Singles SL3 | Gold |
| 10 | Thulasimathi Murugesan | Badminton | Women’s Singles SU5 | Silver |
| 11 | Manisha Ramadass | Badminton | Women’s Singles SU5 | Bronze |
| 12 | Suhas Yathiraj | Badminton | Men’s Singles SL4 | Silver |
| 13 | Rakesh Kumar / Sheetal Devi | Archery | Mixed Team Compound Open | Bronze |
| 14 | Sumit Antil | Athletics | Men’s Javelin Throw F64 | Gold |
| 15 | Nithya Sre Sivan | Badminton | Women’s Singles SH6 | Bronze |
| 16 | Deepthi Jeevanji | Athletics | Women’s 400m T20 | Bronze |
| 17 | Mariyappan Thangavelu | Athletics | Men’s High Jump T63 | Bronze |
| 18 | Sharad Kumar | Athletics | Men’s High Jump T63 | Silver |
| 19 | Ajeet Singh | Athletics | Men’s Javelin Throw F46 | Silver |
| 20 | Sundar Singh Gurjar | Athletics | Men’s Javelin Throw F46 | Bronze |
| 21 | Sachin Khilari | Athletics | Men’s Shot Put F46 | Silver |
| 22 | Harvinder Singh | Archery | Men’s Individual Recurve Open | Gold |
| 23 | Dharambir | Athletics | Men’s Club Throw F51 | Gold |
| 24 | Parnav Soorma | Athletics | Men’s Club Throw F51 | Silver |
| 25 | Kapil Parmar | Judo | Men’s -60kg J1 | Bronze |
| 26 | Praveen Kumar | Athletics | Men’s High Jump T64 | Gold |
| 27 | Hokato Hotozhe Sema | Athletics | Men’s Shot Put F57 | Bronze |
| 28 | Simran | Athletics | Women’s 200m T12 | Bronze |
| 29 | Navdeep Singh | Athletics | Men’s Javelin Throw F41 | Gold |
These athletes not only brought pride to the nation but also inspired millions with their stories of perseverance and triumph over adversity.
Gold Medalists
- Pramod Bhagat (Badminton – Men’s Singles SL3): The defending champion from Tokyo 2020 continued his dominance in the SL3 category, clinching his second consecutive gold, cementing his place as one of India’s all-time great para-badminton players.
- Sumit Antil (Athletics – Men’s Javelin Throw F64): After his world record-breaking performance in Tokyo, Sumit Antil once again won gold in javelin, this time setting a new Paralympic record with his powerful throws.
- Avani Lekhara (Shooting – Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1): A household name in Indian para-sports, Avani repeated her gold-medal feat from Tokyo, showcasing her poise and skill in shooting, cementing her status as a back-to-back Paralympic champion.
- Manish Narwal (Shooting – Men’s 50m Pistol SH1): The young sensation dominated his event, earning his second Paralympic gold, proving his consistency and excellence at the highest level.
Silver Medalists
- Nishad Kumar (Athletics – Men’s High Jump T47): Nishad, who won silver in Tokyo 2020, repeated his performance with another silver in Paris, jumping to new heights and thrilling fans with his determination.
- Bhavina Patel (Table Tennis – Women’s Singles Class 4): After her stellar silver in Tokyo, Bhavina once again finished on the podium, earning her second Paralympic silver in a closely contested final, showcasing her exceptional skill.
- Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj (Badminton – Men’s Singles SL4): The administrative officer-turned-athlete secured a silver in the SL4 category, adding another medal to India’s para-badminton success story.
Bronze Medalists
- Sharad Kumar (Athletics – Men’s High Jump T63): The veteran para-athlete, who narrowly missed gold, secured a bronze medal, giving India yet another reason to celebrate in the athletics category.
- Singhraj Adhana (Shooting – Men’s 10m Air Pistol SH1): A bronze medallist from Tokyo, Singhraj once again found himself on the podium, adding a bronze in Paris, continuing his consistent run of excellence in shooting.
- Palak Kohli (Badminton – Women’s Singles SU5): A rising star in Indian para-sports, Palak clinched her first-ever Paralympic medal with a bronze, highlighting the future potential of Indian para-badminton players.
The Indian contingent at the Paralympic Games Paris 2024 demonstrated remarkable resilience, determination, and skill. With four golds, three silvers, and three bronzes, India’s para-athletes showcased their world-class talent and brought immense pride to the nation. From veterans like Pramod Bhagat and Avani Lekhara to rising stars like Palak Kohli, these athletes not only broke records but also inspired millions across India and beyond.
Their success reflects the growing strength of India’s para-sports program, supported by better infrastructure, training facilities, and increased recognition. As these champions return home, they will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of Indian para-athletes to dream bigger and aim higher for future Paralympic Games.
