India's Record-Breaking Paralympic Triumph: 21 Medals and Counting

Bhavina Patel exits table tennis quarter-finals, while India’s para-athletes make history in Paris, surpassing their previous medal tally. The contingent has secured 21 medals and aims for more.

Bhavina Patel's journey ended after she was knocked out in the women's singles table tennis WS class 4 Quarter-Finals. Patel, who won a silver medal in Tokyo three years ago, lost to China's Ying Zhou in the last eight stage, 1-3, with scores of 12-14, 9-11, 11-8, and 6-11.

In Paris, India's para-athletes scripted history by surpassing their highest medal tally of 19 from the Tokyo Paralympics. The Indian contingent has so far added 21 medals to its growing tally and aims to further extend its record in this edition of the Games.

On Monday and Tuesday, the Indian team added 13 medals, increasing the tally to a historic 20, comprising three gold, seven silver, and 10 bronze medals. During the Tokyo edition (August 24 - September 5, 2021), India had its best-ever medal haul with a total of 19, including five gold, eight silver, and six bronze medals.

It was raining double podium finishes for India in athletics. Mariyappan secured a bronze medal with a leap of 1.85m in the men's high jump T6 final, while his compatriot Sharad Kumar bagged a silver medal with a leap of 1.88m. In the javelin throw, Ajeet clinched a silver with his personal best throw of 65.62m, whereas Sundar earned a bronze with his season-best throw of 64.96m. Cuba's Guillermo won gold with a throw of 66.14m.

This year, India has sent its largest-ever Paralympics contingent, comprising 84 athletes across 12 sports, highlighting the country's expanding para-sports ecosystem. India's participation in the Paris 2024 Paralympics not only marks a significant increase in athlete numbers but also in medal hopes.

(With inputs from agencies.)