Preeti Pal and Team India Shine at Paris Paralympics 2024

Indian para athlete Preeti Pal clinched two bronze medals, making history at the Paris Paralympics 2024. Avani Lekhara won gold, Manish Narwal secured silver, and several other Indian athletes added to the nation’s medal tally with exceptional performances in various events.

Indian para sprinter Preeti Pal experienced an emotional moment at the Paris Paralympics 2024 as she watched the Indian flag rise after securing two medals. On Sunday, Preeti clinched bronze in the 200m T-35 race with a personal best time of 30.01 seconds, making her the first Indian woman to win two track and field medals at the Paralympics or Olympics.

'I am feeling very proud and happy that I won two medals at the Paralympics...It was a very emotional moment to see the India flag rising high...Paralympic Committee of India, Olympic Gold Quest, Target Olympic Podium Scheme, and Sports Authority of India supported me a lot...I am aiming to win a gold medal for the nation,' she told ANI. Preeti had earlier bagged a bronze in the Women's T35 100m race, clocking 14.21 seconds, another personal best.

Para-shooter Avani Lekhara clinched India's first gold at the Paris Paralympics with a dominant performance in the women's 10m air rifle, scoring 249.7 points, a personal best. Manish Narwal secured a silver medal in the men's 10m air pistol SH1 with 234.9 points, overcoming a mid-event setback.

Additionally, Francis won bronze in the P2 - Women's 10m Air Pistol SH-1 final, Archana N. Sashahad finished third and Nishad Kumar earned a silver in men's high jump T47 with a 2.04m jump. Adding to India's tally, para-athlete Yogesh Kathuniya bagged silver in men's Discus Throw F56 and shuttler Nitesh Kumar won gold in men's singles SL3 category.

(With inputs from agencies.)