India’s para-athletes delivered a stellar performance at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, bringing home a record haul of 19 medals, including 7 golds. This achievement not only surpassed India’s previous best at the Paralympics but also highlighted the remarkable progress the country has made in promoting and supporting para-sports.

Among the standout performers was javelin thrower Sumit Antil, who defended his Paralympic title in the F64 category with a new world record throw of 69.12 meters. Antil, who has been a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring para-athletes in India, expressed his pride in winning another gold for his country. “I’m overwhelmed by the support I’ve received from everyone back home. This medal is a result of the hard work and dedication of my entire team. I hope this inspires more people to take up para-sports and pursue their dreams,” he said.

In the athletics arena, Avani Lekhara continued her dominance by winning gold in the R2 women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event. Lekhara, who became India’s first female Paralympic gold medallist in Tokyo 2020, added another title to her name with a brilliant performance in Paris. She also secured a silver in the mixed 50m rifle prone event, further cementing her legacy as one of India’s greatest para-shooters.

Another highlight of the Games was the performance of the Indian badminton team, which won three gold medals. Pramod Bhagat and Krishna Nagar successfully defended their titles in the SL3 and SH6 categories, respectively, while Suhas Yathiraj claimed gold in the SL4 category, adding to India’s growing dominance in para-badminton.

The success of India’s para-athletes at the Paris Paralympics has been widely celebrated across the nation, with many praising the athletes for their determination and resilience. The government and various sports organizations have also pledged to continue supporting para-sports and ensuring that India’s para-athletes have the resources they need to succeed on the global stage.

With the momentum gained from the Paris Paralympics, India’s para-athletes are now looking ahead to the 2026 Asian Para Games and the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles, where they hope to continue their winning ways and bring more glory to the nation.