India's Paralympic Dreams: Triumphs and Setbacks in Paris 2024

India's athletes experienced both highs and lows at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Key performances included gold from Avani Lekhara in shooting, multiple bronze medals, and record-setting moments. However, some athletes fell short of making it to the finals.

In the Para Rowing PR3 Mixed Double Sculls Final, India's Anita and Narayana Konganapalle's campaign for the Paris Paralympics 2024 concluded on Sunday. Finishing with a timing of 8:16.96 and securing 8th place overall, they came in second in Final B.

Another setback for India came when Rakshita Raju, who participated in the para athletics women's 1500m T11 Round 1, Heat 3, failed to qualify for the Finals, finishing 4th with a timing of 5:29.92. However, para sprinter Preeti Pal bagged the bronze in the women's T35 100m race on Friday.

Preeti secured third place with a personal best of 14.21 seconds and had earlier won bronze medals in both the 100m and 200m events at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championship, earning her a quota for the Paris Paralympics.

Preeti's dedication was evident through her selection and performance at the World Para Athletics Championship, winning bronze in both 100m and 200m events. Overall, India has secured five medals at the ongoing Paris Paralympics: one gold, one silver, and three bronzes.

On Saturday, Rubina clinched a bronze medal in the P2-Women's 10M Air Pistol SH-1 final, scoring 211.1 points. On Friday, reigning Paralympic champion Avani Lekhara continued her winning streak, striking gold in the women's 10m air rifle final with a personal best of 249.7 points. Shooter Mona Agarwal also claimed a bronze medal in the same event.

India's silver medal in shooting came from Manish Narwal in the men's P1 10 m air pistol SH1 competition. This year, India sent its largest Paralympics contingent ever with 84 athletes across 12 sports, reflecting the country's growing para-sports ecosystem. India's participation aims to surpass its 19-medal haul in Tokyo 2020, its most successful Paralympic Games to date.

(With inputs from agencies.)