The Indian Paralympic contingent, led by star javelin thrower Sumit Antil, has embarked on its journey to the Paris Paralympics with the aim of securing an unprecedented five gold medals and a total of 12 medals. The first batch of 16 para athletes will acclimatize to the conditions in Paris before entering the Games Village on August 25.
Antil, who is aiming to become the first Indian to defend his Paralympics gold, will train at facilities near the French capital to adjust to the weather conditions. Para athletics events will be held at Stade de France, the same venue where the able-bodied athletes competed during the Paris Olympics.
Para-athletics head coach Satyanarayana expressed confidence in the team’s medal prospects, stating, “We are aiming for at least five gold and 12 medals in total. This will be our best performance in the Paralympics.” India’s hopes are buoyed by their success at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan, where they finished sixth in the medal tally with six gold, five silver, and six bronze medals.
In addition to Antil, other medal contenders include Deepthi Jeevanji (women’s 400m T20), Sachin Khilari (men’s shot put F46), Ekta Bhyan (women’s club throw F51), Simran Sharma (women’s 200m T12), and Mariyappan Thangavelu (men’s high jump T42).
India is sending its largest ever team of 84 athletes across 12 sports to the Paralympics, with 38 from the para-athletics team. Paralympic Committee of India President Devendra Jhajharia has predicted at least 25 medals from the Paris Games.
Antil and Bhagyashree Jadhav, who won a silver in the Hangzhou Asian Para Games in women’s shot put F34, will be the joint flag bearers for India during the Opening Ceremony, which will be held outside a stadium for the first time. The ceremony will take place from Champs-Elysees to Place de la Concorde in the heart of Paris.
