India is set to make a strong presence at the Paris 2024 Paralympics with its largest-ever contingent.
The 84 athletes representing the country will participate across 12 sports, showcasing the nation’s commitment to para sports. The Games are scheduled to run from August 28 to September 8, 2024.
Harvinder Singh leads the archery team, competing in the men’s individual recurve open and mixed team recurve open events in the ST category. Joining him are Rakesh Kumar and Shyam Sundar Swami in the men’s individual compound open and mixed team compound open events. On the women’s side, Pooja, Sarita, and Sheetal Devi will vie for medals in the women’s individual recurve open and compound open events.
India has a substantial representation in athletics with Deepthi Jeevanji competing in the women’s 400m T20. Sumit Antil will defend his title in the men’s javelin throw F64. Other notable athletes include Sandeep and Ajeet Singh, also in the men’s javelin throw F64 and F46 respectively. Nishad Kumar and Mariyappan Thangavelu will compete in the men’s high jump T47 and T63 categories, respectively. Preethi Pal will compete in the women’s 100m and 200m T35 events, while Bhagyashri Jadhav will participate in the women’s shot put F34.
Para badminton sees a strong Indian contingent with Manoj Sarkar, Nitesh Kumar, and Krishna Nagar competing in various men’s singles events. Suhas Yathiraj and Sukant Kadam will also compete in men’s singles. On the women’s side, Manasi Joshi, Mandeep Kaur, and Palak Kohli will participate in women’s singles events, with Thulasimathi Murugesan and Nithya Sre Sivan competing in mixed doubles.
In canoeing, Prachi Yadav and Yash Kumar will represent India in their respective events. Pooja Ojha will also compete in the women’s kayak single 200m KL1 event.
Arshad Shaik and Jyoti Gaderiya will compete in para cycling, with Shaik focusing on men’s C2 events and Gaderiya in the women’s C1–3 events.
Kapil Parmar will compete in men’s 60kg J1 blind judo, while Kokila will participate in the women’s 48kg J2 category.
Parmjeet Kumar, Ashok, Sakina Khatun, and Kasthuri Rajamani will represent India in powerlifting, competing across various weight categories.
Anita and K. Narayana will team up in the PR3 mixed double sculls event in para rowing.
India’s shooting team includes Avani Lekhara, who will compete in the R2 women’s 10m air rifle standing, R3 mixed 10m air rifle prone, and R8 women’s 50m rifle 3 positions events. Mona Agarwal and Nihal Singh will join in various rifle and pistol events. Manish Narwal and Rudransh Khandelwal will also compete in pistol events.
Suyash Jadhav will compete in the men’s 50m butterfly S7 category.
Sonalben Patel and Bhavinaben Patel will represent India in women’s singles and doubles events. Sonalben Patel will compete in WS3 and WD10, while Bhavinaben Patel will take part in WS4 and WD10 events.
Aruna will compete in the women’s 47kg K44 category, marking India’s entry into para taekwondo at these Games.
The Paris 2024 Paralympics will see these athletes pushing their limits and aiming for excellence in their respective sports. With a diverse and extensive contingent, India’s participation in the Games is set to be a significant chapter in its para-sporting history.
