Published By: Sanchari Das

Year-Ender 2024: Check Out THESE Record-Breaking Feats by Indian Para-Athletes at the 2024 Paralympics!

The 2024 Paralympics saw India's para-athletes excel like never before

As 2024 comes to an end, the year will forever be remembered as a golden chapter for Indian sports, especially at the Paralympics. India's para-athletes delivered record-breaking performances on the global stage, making the nation proud. India achieved its best-ever Paralympic haul with an astounding 29 medals—seven golds, nine silvers, and 13 bronzes.

These athletes shattered records and redefined resilience, inspiring millions nationwide. Let's take a closer look at the moments that made 2024 a year of glory for Indian para-sports.

Records created by Indian players

India's para-athletes delivered exceptional performances at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, creating new records and rewriting history. 

Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to win two golds at the Paralympics. She defended her Tokyo 2020 title in the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 shooting event with a world record score of 249.7. Her precision and composure made her a shining star. 

India recorded its first-ever one-two finish in athletics. Dharambir and Parnav Soorma won gold and silver, respectively, in the men's club throw F51. Dharambir also set an Asian record of 34.92m. Praveen Kumar added another highlight by securing the high jump T64 gold with an Asian record. 

Javelin ace Sumit Antil made history as the first Indian man to defend a Paralympic title. He achieved a stunning throw of 70.59 m, breaking his own Paralympic record three times during the competition. 

With a bronze in the men's high jump T42 class, Mariyappan Thangavelu became the first Indian to win medals at three consecutive Paralympics. He had previously secured gold in Rio 2016 and silver in Tokyo 2020. 

Preethi Pal became India's most successful athlete at Paris 2024 by clinching two bronzes—one in the 100m T35 race and another in the 200m. Her achievements also marked India's first-ever track event medal at the Paralympics. 

Armless archer Sheetal Devi briefly set a world record in the ranking round and became India's youngest Paralympic medallist at just 17. Alongside Rakesh Kumar, she achieved a world record score in the compound mixed team qualification event, later securing bronze. 

Harvinder Singh became India's first-ever Paralympic archery champion, paving the way for future archers.

Who were the gold winners?

India's golden run was led by extraordinary athletes who clinched seven gold medals.

  • Avani Lekhara - Women's 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1
  • Nitesh Kumar - Men's Singles SL3 (Badminton): Dominated his match to clinch India's second gold.
  • Sumit Antil - Javelin Throw F64 (Athletics)
  • Harvinder Singh - Men's Individual Recurve Open (Archery)
  • Dharambir - Men's Club Throw F51 (Athletics)
  • Praveen Kumar - Men's High Jump T64
  • Navdeep Singh - Men's Javelin Throw F41

Who were the silver winners?

Nine athletes brought home silver medals.

  • Manish Narwal - Men's 10m Air Pistol SH1 (Shooting)
  • Nishad Kumar - Men's High Jump T47
  • Yogesh Kathuniya - Men's Discus Throw F56
  • Thulasimathi Murugesan - Women's Singles SU5 (Badminton)
  • Suhas Yathiraj - Men's Singles SL4 (Badminton)
  • Sharad Kumar - Men's High Jump T6 Final
  • Ajeet Singh - Men's Javelin Throw F46
  • Sachin Sarjerao Khilari - Men's Shot Put F46
  • Parnav Soorma - Men's Club Throw F51

Who were the bronze winners?

Thirteen Indian athletes earned bronze medals, demonstrating the depth of talent in the nation.

  • Mona Agarwal - Women's 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1
  • Preethi Pal - Women's 100m & 200m T35
  • Rubina Francis - Women's 10m Air Pistol SH1
  • Manisha Ramadass - Women's Singles SU5 (Badminton)
  • Rakesh Kumar / Sheetal Devi - Mixed Team Compound Open (Archery)
  • Nithya Sre Sivan - Women's Singles SH6 (Badminton)
  • Mariyappan Thangavelu - Men's High Jump T6 Final
  • Deepthi Jeevanji - Women's 400m T20 Final: India's first intellectually impaired athlete to win a medal.
  • Sundar Singh Gurjar - Men's Javelin Throw F46
  • Kapil Parmar - Men's Judo - 60kg J1
  • Hokato Hotozhe Sema - Men's Shot Put F57
  • Simran - Women's 200m T12

As we bid farewell to 2024, their achievements will inspire future generations. Here's to an even brighter future for Indian para-sports!