The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games are set to commence on August 28th, with an 84-member Indian contingent aiming to surpass their 19-medal tally from the Tokyo Paralympics. Led by flag-bearer Sumit Antil, who won gold in the men’s javelin throw in Tokyo, India will field athletes across various disciplines, including archery, athletics, badminton, canoe, cycling, powerlifting, rowing, and shooting.
In archery, India will be represented by Harvinder Singh, Rakesh Kumar, Shyam Sundar Swami, Pooja, Sarita, and Sheetal Devi. The athletics team boasts a strong contingent of 25 athletes, including javelin throwers Sumit Antil, Sandeep, Ajeet Singh, Sundar Singh Gurjar, Rinku, Navdeep, and Yogesh Kathuniya. Other notable athletes include discus thrower Dharambir, club throwers Pranav Soorma, Amit Kumar, and Nishad Kumar, and high jumpers Ram Pal, Mariyappan Thangavelu, Shailesh Kumar, Sharad Kumar, and Sachin Sarjerao Khilari.
The badminton team comprises Manoj Sarkar, Nitesh Kumar, Krishna Nagar, Sivarajan Solaimalai, Suhas Yathiraj, Sukant Kadam, Tarun, Manasi Joshi, Mandeep Kaur, Palak Kohli, Manisha Ramadass, Thulasimathi Murugesan, and Nithya Sre Sivan. In canoe, Prachi Yadav and Yash Kumar will compete in the women’s and men’s categories, respectively. Arshad Shaik and Jyoti Gaderiya will represent India in cycling.
The powerlifting team includes Paramjeet Kumar, Ashok, Sakina Khatun, and Kasthuri Rajamani. Anita and Naryana Konganapalle will compete in rowing. In shooting, India will be represented by Amir Ahmad Bhat, Avani Lekhara, Mona Agarwal, Nihal Singh, Manish Narwal, Rudransh Khandelwal, Sidhartha Babu, Sriharsha Devaraddi Ramakrishna, Swaroop Mahavir Unhalkar, and Rubina Francis.
The Indian contingent will be hoping to make a strong showing in Paris and bring home a significant medal haul. The Games will provide a platform for these athletes to showcase their talent and determination, inspiring countless others with their stories of resilience and triumph.
