Prime Minister Narendra Modi has told the country’s Paris Paralympic Games champions that they had lived up to the expectations of countrymen who had wished them all success when they left for the Games.
If the 19 medals won at the Tokyo Paralympics, three years ago, ignited India’s push to make a mark in the biggest show of para sports, the record-breaking performance in Paris, has in a way, stamped that intent of scaling new peaks in para sports.
Amit Saroha, one of India’s decorated para athletes, received the best Teacher’s Day gift when his prodigy Dharambir shattered the Asian record with an effort of 34.59m to win a gold medal in the men’s club throw F51 event of the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
The prognosis was grim, with doctors suggesting that he might never walk again, but Captain Gian Chand and his wife Meena Devi bravely faced the challenges in their relentless quest for their son’s recovery.
Later in the day, Preethi Pal became the first Indian to win a Paralympic medal in a track event. The 23-year-old won a bronze medal in the women's T35 100m event with a personal best time of 14.21 seconds at the Paris Paralympics
For Avani, who won the gold in the same event three years back in the Tokyo Paralympics, the journey to her title defence at the Paris Games hasn’t been smooth at all.
Despite sustaining the injury, Tanwar refused to give up and continued to fight on one leg, battling through tears to go down fighting in the contest that eventually went in favour of Ekinci 19-0. K44 category includes athletes who have impairments in one arm above the elbow.
Manu’s performance at the Federation Cup has affected his chances of joining Chopra and Jena on the flight to Paris.
The seminar will be conducted in coordination with the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) sometime in the coming months.
Sakshi made an instant impact after being picked by the Services in the first batch of women boxers late last year.
