India announces largest-ever Paralympic squad for Paris 2024
India has unveiled its most extensive Paralympic team to date, for the upcoming 2024 Paris Games. The Indian contingent comprises a record 84 athletes, including 32 women. It is worth noting that India fielded a team of 54 athletes with only 14 women. The Indian team is set to compete in a total of 12 sports at the event between August 28 and September 8. Here are further details.
New sports added to India's Paralympic roster
The Paris 2024 Paralympics will see India competing in three new sports - para-cycling, para-rowing, and blind judo. Notably, Arshad Shaik and Jyoti Gaderiya are set to represent the country in the men's and women's C2 para-cycling events, respectively. In blind judo, Kapil Parmar and Kokila would carry India's hopes. Anita and K Narayana have been selected for PR3 mixed doubles sculls in para-rowing.
Tokyo 2020 medalists return for Paris Paralympics
The 2024 Paris Paralympics Indian squad also includes several medal winners from the Tokyo Games. Avani Lekhara, became the first-ever Indian woman with a Paralympic gold medal (women's R2 10m air rifle standing SH1 event), is among those returning. Men's F64 javelin thrower Sumit Antil, who clinched the gold medal in Tokyo, will also look to defend his title.
Bhavina Patel and Harvinder Singh to compete again
India's first-ever Paralympic medalist in table tennis, Bhavina Patel, will participate in the women's singles event. She will partner with Sonalben Patel in the women's doubles segment. Harvinder Singh, the first Indian to win a Paralympic archery medal, will compete in men's individual recurve open and mixed team recurve open, in the ST category. These experienced athletes add depth to India's largest-ever Paralympic squad for Paris 2024.
India's flag-bearers at the event
India has selected shot-put champion Bhagyashree Jadhav and Antil as the flag-bearers for the upcoming 2024 Paris Paralympics. Bhagyashree Jadhav, a native of Maharashtra, has established herself globally in shot put.
