Indian Para-Archers Shine at Paris Paralympics 2024

Indian para-archers Harvinder Singh and Pooja Jatyan advance to the quarterfinals of the Mixed Team Recurve Open at Paris Paralympics 2024. Harvinder also wins a historic individual gold medal. The Indian contingent secures 24 medals, aiming for more in the remaining days of the event.

Indian para-archers Harvinder Singh and Pooja Jatyan have advanced to the quarterfinals of the Mixed Team Recurve Open at the Paris Paralympics 2024. On Thursday, the duo defeated Amanda Jennings and Taymon Kenton-Smith of Australia with a narrow 5-4 scoreline. They will next compete against either the host nation, France, or Poland in the last eight.

Wednesday saw a historic moment for India when Harvinder Singh secured the country's first-ever gold medal in the individual recurve para-archery at the Paralympics, triumphing over Poland's Lukasz Ciszek with a decisive 6-0 victory. This gold adds to the bronze he won at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020, marking him as a significant figure in India's para-archery history.

Pooja Jatyan's journey saw a tough end in the Women's Individual Recurve Open quarterfinals against China's Wu Chunyan, losing 4-6. Meanwhile, para-athlete Sachin Khilari clinched a silver medal in the men's shot put F46 final, setting an area best with a 16.32-meter throw. Despite narrowly missing the gold by 0.6 meters, his performance added to India's burgeoning medal tally.

Earlier in the week, the Indian contingent celebrated a medal rush, winning 13 medals on Monday and Tuesday, pushing its total to a record 20 — comprising three golds, seven silvers, and 10 bronzes. By Thursday, India had increased its tally to 24 medals (five golds, nine silvers, and ten bronzes) and currently stands 15th in the medal rankings. This edition sees India surpassing its previous best of 19 medals won at the Tokyo Paralympics 2021, with the prospect of further successes in the days ahead.

(With inputs from agencies.)