Devendra Jhajharia stands out as India’s most decorated Paralympian.
India’s presence in the Paralympic Games has grown remarkably over the years, with a total of 31 medals, including nine gold, 12 silver, and 10 bronze. This article highlights the most successful Indian Paralympians who have contributed significantly to this tally.
Devendra Jhajharia stands out as India’s most decorated Paralympian, having won three medals over three different Paralympic Games. Jhajharia’s journey began at the Athens 2004 Paralympics, where he won his first gold medal in the men’s javelin throw F44/46 with a world-record throw of 62.15 meters. He followed this up with another gold at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, where he broke his own record with a throw of 63.97 meters in the men’s javelin throw F46 category.
In the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, Jhajharia continued his dominance in the sport, winning a silver medal in the same event with a personal best throw of 64.35 meters. His consistent performance over the years has made him a central figure in India’s Paralympic history.
Mariyappan Thangavelu is another key figure in Indian Paralympic history, having won two medals in the high jump T42 category. His first major success came at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, where he clinched the gold medal with a jump of 1.89 meters. This victory made him the first Indian high jumper to win gold at the Paralympics.
Thangavelu continued his form at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, winning a silver medal in the men’s high jump T42 category. Despite narrowly missing out on gold, his 1.86-meter jump secured him a place on the podium once again.
Avani Lekhara made history at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics as the first Indian woman to win two medals at a single Paralympic Games. In her Paralympic debut, Lekhara won gold in the women’s 10m air rifle shooting standing SH1 category with a new Paralympic record score of 249.6. This remarkable achievement not only earned her a gold medal but also placed her as one of India’s most successful Paralympians. She also won a gold in the 2024 edition as well.
Lekhara also secured a bronze medal in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 category, further cementing her status as a top Paralympian and a standout performer in shooting sports.
Singhraj Adhana showcased his shooting prowess at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, winning two medals in pistol shooting events. Adhana first won a bronze medal in the men’s 10m air pistol shooting SH1 category with a score of 216.8 in the final. His performance highlighted his skill and precision in a highly competitive field.
Adhana followed up his bronze with a silver medal in the men’s 50m pistol SH1 event. His combined score of 216.7 in the final placed him just behind his compatriot, Manish Narwal, who took gold in the same event. Adhana’s dual success made him one of the leading figures in Indian Paralympic shooting.
Sumit Antil made a significant impact at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics by winning gold in the men’s javelin throw F64 category. Antil set a new world record with a throw of 68.55 meters, breaking his own previous record multiple times during the event. His performance was a highlight of India’s Paralympic campaign, establishing him as one of the top javelin throwers globally.
India’s success at the Paralympic Games has been driven by the outstanding performances of individual athletes like Devendra Jhajharia, Mariyappan Thangavelu, Avani Lekhara, Singhraj Adhana, and Sumit Antil. These athletes have not only brought home multiple medals but have also set new benchmarks in their respective sports. Their contributions have significantly raised India’s profile on the Paralympic stage.
