Blitz Bureau
INDIA’S most successful Paralympic campaign unfolded at the 2024 Paris Games, where athletes achieved an extraordinary feat, securing a record-breaking 29 medals—7 gold, 9 silver, and 13 bronze. This achievement marks a new pinnacle in India’s Paralympic history, showcasing the nation’s growing prominence on the world stage.
India’s medal haul was led by stellar performances from athletes across a range of disciplines. Avani Lekhara clinched gold in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1, while Nitesh Kumar dominated in badminton, winning gold in the Men’s Singles SL3. Sumit Antil and Dharambir added to the tally with golds in Men’s Javelin Throw F64 and Men’s Club Throw F51, respectively. Archery saw Harvinder Singh secure gold in the Men’s Individual Recurve Open, while Navdeep Singh triumphed in the Men’s Javelin Throw F41. Suhas Yathiraj brought home silver in the Men’s Singles SL4 badminton event, and Nishad Kumar earned silver in Men’s High Jump T47. Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi took bronze in Archery’s Mixed Team Compound Open, rounding off India’s historic campaign.
From the humble beginnings of India’s Paralympic debut in 1968 to the record-breaking achievements in Paris, this journey has been one of remarkable growth, determination and triumph.
India made its maiden appearance at the Paralympics in 1968 in Tel Aviv, Israel. A delegation of 10 athletes, consisting of eight men and two women, represented the country in this historic outing. Though India did not win any medals at the Games, it provided the first significant international exposure for the nation’s para-athletes.
Four years later, at the 1972 Heidelberg Games in Germany, India achieved its first Paralympic sucess. Paraswimmer Murlikant Petkar made history by winning gold in the 50m freestyle swimming event, setting a world record time of 37.331 seconds.
India’s participation in the Paralympics faced interruptions, as the country did not take part in the 1976 and 1980 Games. It wasn’t until the 1984 Games that India returned to the Paralympic arena. In this edition India secured four medals—two silvers and two bronzes.
India’s next Paralympic success came 20 years later at the 2004 Athens Games. Devendra Jhajharia won gold in Men’s Javelin Throw F44/46, and Rajinder Singh Rahelu earned a bronze in Men’s Powerlifting 56 kg, taking India’s total tally to two medals in that edition. At the 2012 London Paralympics, India secured its sole medal (silver) through the exceptional performance of Girisha N Gowda in the Men’s High Jump F42 category.
India’s performance at Rio 2016 was notable, with the country winning a total of four medals. At the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, India won a total of 19 medals, including 5 gold, 8 silver, and 6 bronze.
